Storage vessel and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage vessel (1) for storing a cryogen (H2), comprising an inner vessel (3) for receiving the cryogen (H2), an outer vessel (10) in which the inner vessel (3) is accommodated, and an insulating layer (15) which encases the inner vessel (3), wherein the inner vessel (3) comprises a tubular main portion (4) and two bottom portions (5, 6) which close the main portion (4) at the end faces, wherein the insulating layer (15) comprises bottom insulating members (19) which are attached to the bottom portions (5, 6), and wherein each bottom insulating member (19) is composed of multiple ring-segment-shaped insulating elements (30, 31).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Storage tanks and processes

[0003] The invention relates to a storage container for storing a cryogen and a method for producing a bottom insulation for such a storage container.

[0004] The applicant is familiar with in-house double-walled storage containers for liquid hydrogen, which comprise an outer container and an inner container arranged within the outer container for containing the liquid hydrogen. A gap provided between the inner container and the outer container is subjected to a vacuum. A multi-layer insulation layer can be arranged in the gap, enveloping the inner container. The inner container is cylindrical, with the insulation layer at the bottom sections being constructed from individual layers of metallic foil and non-metallic intermediate layers.

[0005] US 3 540 615 A ​​relates to a multi-layer insulation for cryogenic containers and forms the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved storage container.

[0007] Accordingly, a storage container for storing a cryogen is proposed. The storage container comprises an inner container for accommodating the cryogen, an outer container in which the inner container is accommodated, and an insulation layer enclosing the inner container. The inner container has a tubular base section and two bottom sections that close the base section at the end face. The insulation layer has bottom insulations attached to the bottom sections, and each bottom insulation is composed of a plurality of ring-segment-shaped insulation elements.

[0008] The storage container is particularly suitable for transporting cryogen. Therefore, the storage container can also be referred to as a transport container. The storage container is at least double-walled and can therefore also be referred to as a double-walled storage container. The cryogen can be liquid hydrogen. The term "cryogen" can therefore be replaced with the term "hydrogen" and vice versa. However, the cryogen can also be liquid helium, liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, argon, neon, or the like. Since the storage container is preferably suitable for holding liquid hydrogen, it can also be referred to as a hydrogen storage container or hydrogen storage tank. The storage container can be part of a vehicle, in particular a watercraft. In this case, the storage container is suitable for mobile applications.However, the storage tank can also be used stationary, for example in building technology.

[0009] The storage container is preferably constructed rotationally symmetrically to a symmetry or central axis. Accordingly, the inner container and the outer container are also constructed rotationally symmetrically to the central axis. The storage container is preferably arranged such that the central axis runs perpendicular to a direction of gravity. This means that the storage container is arranged horizontally. However, the storage container can also be arranged vertically. In this case, the central axis is oriented parallel to the direction of gravity.

[0010] The inner container and the outer container are preferably both cylindrical. The outer container, like the inner container, preferably has a tubular or cylindrical base section that is rotationally symmetrical to the central axis. Both the base section of the inner container and the base section of the outer container are preferably closed at the ends with two outwardly curved base sections. However, this is not absolutely necessary. The base sections can also be designed differently. The inner container is in particular arranged completely within the outer container, so that the outer container completely or partially encloses or wraps the inner container. The inner container can also be referred to as an inner tank. The outer container can also be referred to as an outer tank.

[0011] The bottom sections of the inner container are preferably welded to the base section of the inner container. A corresponding bottom weld seam is provided for this purpose. In particular, a bottom insulation as mentioned above is attached to each of the bottom sections. This means, in particular, that preferably two bottom insulations are provided, which are part of the insulation layer surrounding the inner container.

[0012] A "ring segment" is understood here to mean a section of a ring. Accordingly, the floor insulation is preferably ring-shaped. The floor insulation preferably has a central opening through which a central nozzle attached to the respective floor section can be passed. Each floor section can be assigned such a central nozzle. The inner container is suspended from the outer container by means of the central nozzle. The insulation elements are, in particular, prefabricated. In particular, the insulation elements comprise (commercially available) multilayer insulation (MLI). For example, the insulation elements are block-shaped. To form the floor insulation, the insulation elements are arranged next to one another. The insulation elements are, in particular, wedge-shaped or pie-shaped.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the floor insulation comprises a plurality of insulation layers arranged one above the other, each of which is composed of a plurality of insulation elements, wherein the insulation elements of the different insulation layers are arranged circumferentially offset from one another.

[0014] The number of insulation layers is arbitrary. For example, two, three, four, five, or more than five such insulation layers can be provided, arranged one above the other. However, at least two insulation layers are provided. Because the insulation elements of the different insulation layers are arranged circumferentially offset from one another, abutting edges of the insulation elements of one insulation layer are oriented such that they are covered by insulation elements of an insulation layer located above or below it. In particular, each insulation element has two abutting edges arranged obliquely to one another. When forming the floor insulation, the insulation elements are arranged such that abutting edges of adjacent insulation elements face one another.The butt edges of a subsequent insulation layer are arranged in such a way that they do not overlap above the butt edges of insulation elements of a lower insulation layer. "Circumferentially" means viewed along a circumferential direction. According to another embodiment, the floor insulation has a supporting frame that supports the insulation layers. This makes it possible to form a (self-supporting) assembly consisting of the supporting frame and the insulation elements applied thereto, which can be pre-assembled and then applied to a respective floor section.

[0015] The supporting structure is curved, in particular, like the respective floor section. The supporting structure can be strut-shaped or lattice-shaped. For example, the supporting structure is made of expanded metal. The supporting structure is firmly connected to the respective floor section. For example, the supporting structure can be welded to the respective floor section.

[0016] According to a further embodiment, the floor insulation has a holding plate, wherein the insulation layers are arranged between the supporting structure and the holding plate.

[0017] The retaining plate can be an aluminum sheet, for example. To form the floor insulation, several insulation layers are first placed on the supporting frame and then covered with the retaining plate. This creates a sandwich-like floor insulation structure, with the insulation layers placed between the supporting frame and the retaining plate.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the supporting frame, the insulation layers and the retaining plate are sewn together.

[0019] For example, stainless steel wire can be used as the suture material. Several circular sutures can be provided. However, the sutures can run radially and / or circumferentially as desired. The sutures can also be zigzag-shaped.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, the floor insulation comprises a ring connected to the supporting structure and encircling the base section. The ring is guided, in particular, over the respective floor weld seam that connects the respective floor section to the base section. The ring can, for example, be connected directly to the supporting structure. However, the ring can also be connected to the supporting structure using strip-shaped or sheet-shaped connectors.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the ring is connected to the base portion by means of strip-shaped connectors.

[0022] The connectors can also be used to connect the ring to the supporting structure. The connectors are strip-shaped or band-shaped. For example, the connectors are welded to the base section. For this purpose, appropriate pads or weld points can be provided on the base section.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the insulation elements are folded around an edge of the supporting frame, so that the insulation layers each have a first section arranged on the supporting frame and a second section folded around the edge.

[0024] The first sections of the insulation layers are arranged one above the other. In particular, the first sections are arranged between the support frame and the aforementioned retaining plate. The second sections are annular or tubular. For example, the second sections can cover the aforementioned ring. The second section of the second insulation layer is preferably shorter in the axial direction of the storage container than the second section of the first insulation layer. As a result, the second section of the first insulation layer does not completely cover the second section of the second insulation layer, so that an area of ​​the first insulation layer remains uncovered by the second insulation layer. This results in a stepped geometry. The second sections of different insulation layers are therefore preferably cut in such a way that a stepped geometry results at the second sections.A respective nth insulation layer preferably has a shorter second section than the respective (n-1)th insulation layer located below it. According to a further embodiment, the second section is fixed by means of an annular retaining plate.

[0025] Each second section can be assigned such a retaining plate. In particular, after the second sections have been cut to size, the annular retaining plates are attached to the insulation layers. For example, the retaining plates are made of aluminum sheets.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, the insulation elements comprise a plurality of alternating layers of metallic foil and a non-metallic material layer. The metallic foil can be a metal foil or a metal-coated foil. Preferably, the insulation elements comprise a plurality of alternating layers of aluminum foil and glass paper and / or glass silk.

[0027] For example, each insulation element comprises ten to fifteen alternating layers of aluminum foil and glass paper and / or glass silk. The layers or layers of perforated and / or embossed aluminum foil act as reflectors, and the glass paper and / or glass silk act as spacers between adjacent aluminum foils.

[0028] According to a further embodiment, mutually facing abutting edges of the insulation elements are wrapped with a non-metallic material layer, preferably with glass paper and / or glass silk.

[0029] This prevents aluminum foils of adjacent insulation elements from coming into contact with each other. This prevents heat transfer between adjacent insulation elements. The insulation elements are positioned in such a way that there is no gap or a gap of only a few millimeters between the abutting edges of adjacent insulation elements.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, the insulation layer comprises a plurality of alternating layers of metallic foil and non-metallic material (multilayer insulation), in particular a plurality of alternating layers of perforated and / or embossed aluminum foil and glass paper and / or glass silk, which are wound onto the base section. A metallic foil can be a metal foil or a metal-coated foil.

[0031] Before the alternating layers of metallic foil and non-metallic intermediate layers, such as aluminum foil and glass paper and / or glass silk, are wound onto the base section, the bottom insulation is applied to the bottom sections of the inner container. The layers of, for example, aluminum foil and glass paper and / or glass silk are then wound onto the base section. The aforementioned stepped geometry at the second sections of the insulation layers can be covered by the layers of aluminum foil and glass paper and / or glass silk wound onto the base section.

[0032] Furthermore, a method for producing a bottom insulation for a storage container for storing a cryogen is proposed. The method comprises the following steps: a) providing a support frame, and b) arranging a plurality of ring-segment-shaped insulation elements next to one another on the support frame to form the bottom insulation.

[0033] As previously mentioned, when arranging the insulation elements next to each other, no gap or a gap of only a few millimeters is left between the abutting edges of adjacent insulation elements. Before step a), the supporting structure is placed on a base mold. The base mold has a curved geometry that corresponds to the geometry of the base sections of the inner container. The base mold can also be referred to as a dummy base. The base insulation is prefabricated on the base mold. Once all components of the base insulation have been installed, it is lifted off the base mold and attached to the storage container. Subsequently, as previously mentioned, a plurality of alternating layers of aluminum foil and glass paper and / or glass silk are wound onto the base section.

[0034] According to one embodiment, in step b), several insulation layers arranged one above the other are formed, each composed of a plurality of insulation elements, wherein the insulation elements of the different insulation layers are arranged circumferentially offset from one another. As previously mentioned, the number of insulation layers arranged one above the other is arbitrary. During the construction of the insulation layers, the insulation elements are arranged such that the abutting edges of the insulation elements of two insulation layers arranged directly above one another are arranged such that the abutting edges do not overlap one another.

[0035] According to a further embodiment, in step b) the insulation elements are folded around an edge of the supporting frame, so that the insulation layers each have a first section arranged on the supporting frame and a second section folded around the edge.

[0036] After the second section is folded over, it is trimmed to a tubular or hollow-cylindrical shape. The second sections of stacked insulation layers are preferably trimmed to form multiple steps, thus resulting in a stepped geometry as mentioned above. The second sections can be wrapped in a non-metallic material layer, for example, in glass paper and / or glass silk.

[0037] "One" in this case is not necessarily to be understood as limiting the number to exactly one element. Rather, multiple elements, such as two, three, or more, can also be considered. Any other counting term used here should also not be understood as requiring a precise limitation to the corresponding number of elements. Rather, numerical deviations upwards and downwards are possible.

[0038] Further possible implementations of the storage container and / or the method also include combinations of features or embodiments described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments, which are not explicitly mentioned. In this case, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the storage container and / or the method. Further advantageous refinements of the storage container and / or the method are the subject of the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments of the storage container and / or the method described below. The storage container and / or the method are explained in more detail below using preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a storage container;

[0040] Fig. 2 shows the detailed view II according to Fig. 1 ;

[0041] Fig. 3 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a bottom insulation for the storage tank according to Fig. 1;

[0042] Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of the floor insulation according to the section line IV-IV of Fig. 3;

[0043] Fig. 5 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of an insulation element for floor insulation according to Fig. 3;

[0044] Fig. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of the insulation element according to the section line VI-VI of Fig. 5;

[0045] Fig. 7 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a method for producing the floor insulation according to Fig. 3; and

[0046] Fig. 8 shows a schematic view of the bottom insulation of Figs. 3 and 4 applied to a bottom section of the inner container

[0047] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements have been given the same reference numerals unless otherwise stated.

[0048] Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a storage container 1. Fig. 2 shows the detailed view II according to Fig. 1. Reference is made to Figs. 1 and 2 simultaneously below. The storage container 1 can also be referred to as a storage tank. The storage container 1 is preferably suitable for holding liquid hydrogen H2 (boiling point: 1 bara: 20.268 K = -252.882 °C). Therefore, the storage container 1 can also be referred to as a hydrogen storage container or a hydrogen storage tank. However, the storage container 1 can also be used for other cryogenic liquids. Examples of cryogenic fluids or liquids, or cryogens for short, are, in addition to the previously mentioned hydrogen H2, liquid helium He (boiling point 1 bara: 4.222 K = -268.928 °C), liquid nitrogen N2 (boiling point 1 bara: 77.35 K = -195.80 °C) or liquid oxygen O2 (boiling point: 1 bara: 90.18 K = -182.97 °C).

[0049] The storage container 1 can be a transport container. For example, the storage container 1 can be used to transport liquid hydrogen H2. The storage container 1 can be part of a vehicle, in particular a watercraft. In this case, the storage container 1 is suitable for mobile applications. However, the storage container 1 can also be used stationary, for example, in building technology.

[0050] The storage container 1 is preferably constructed rotationally symmetrically to a symmetry or central axis 2. The central axis 2 is oriented perpendicular to a direction of gravity g. The storage container 1 comprises a first container or inner container 3, which is also constructed rotationally symmetrically to the central axis 2. The inner container 3 comprises a tubular or cylindrical base section 4, which is also constructed rotationally symmetrically to the central axis 2. The base section 4 can have a circular or approximately circular geometry in cross-section.

[0051] The base section 4 is closed at both ends by means of a lid section or bottom section 5, 6. The bottom sections 5, 6 are curved. A first bottom section 5 and a second bottom section 6 are curved in opposite directions, so that the bottom sections 5, 6 are curved outwards with respect to the base section 4. The inner container 3 is fluid-tight, in particular gas-tight. The inner container 3 can be made of stainless steel. The liquid hydrogen H2 is contained in the inner container 3. As long as the hydrogen H2 is in the two-phase region, a gas zone 7 with vaporized hydrogen H2 and a liquid zone 8 with liquid hydrogen H2 can be provided in the inner container 3. The hydrogen H2 therefore has two phases with different states of aggregation, namely liquid and gaseous, after being filled into the inner container 3.This means that in the inner container 3 there is a phase boundary 9 between the liquid hydrogen H2 and the gaseous hydrogen H2.

[0052] The inner container 3 is arranged entirely within a second container or outer container 10. The storage container 1 is thus double-walled. The outer container 10 is also constructed rotationally symmetrically to the central axis 2. The outer container 10, like the inner container 3, comprises a tubular or cylindrical base section 11, which is constructed rotationally symmetrically to the central axis 2. The base section 11 can have a circular or approximately circular geometry in cross-section.

[0053] The base section 11 is closed at each end by a lid section or base section 12, 13. In particular, a first base section 12 and a second base section 13 are provided. The base sections 12, 13 are curved in opposite directions, so that the base sections 12, 13 are curved outward relative to the base section 11. The outer container 10 is fluid-tight, in particular gas-tight. The outer container 10 can also be made of stainless steel.

[0054] A gap 14 is provided between the inner container 3 and the outer container 10, completely surrounding or enclosing the inner container 3. A vacuum is applied to the gap 14. A "vacuum" in this case is understood to mean, in particular, a pressure of less than 300 mbar, preferably less than 10 -3 mbar, more preferably less than 10 -5mbar. The storage container 1 is thus vacuum-insulated or vacuum-insulated. The fact that the gap 14 completely "encloses" or "envelops" the inner container 3 means, in this case, that the gap 14, on the one hand, runs completely around the base section 4 and, on the other hand, is also provided between the two first bottom sections 5, 12 and between the two second bottom sections 6, 13. A thermal barrier layer or insulation layer 15 (Fig. 2) that completely encloses or surrounds the inner container 3 is provided in the gap 14. This means that the insulation layer 15 encloses both the base section 4 and the bottom sections 5, 6 of the inner container 3. The insulation layer 15 serves for thermal insulation. The insulation layer 15 is multi-layered. This means that the insulation layer 15 comprises a plurality of plies or layers. The insulation layer 15 can therefore also be referred to as a multi-layer insulation layer or as a multi-layer thermal insulation layer.

[0055] In particular, the insulation layer 15 is a so-called multilayer insulation (MLI). The insulation layer 15 comprises several alternating layers or plies of metallic foil (metal foil or metal-coated foil) and non-metallic material layers, for example, perforated and / or embossed aluminum foil 16 as a reflector and glass paper and / or glass silk 17 as spacers between adjacent aluminum foils 16. In Fig. 2, only two layers of aluminum foil 16 and two layers of glass paper and / or glass silk 17 are provided with a reference numeral. The glass paper and / or glass silk 17 acts as a spacer between two adjacent aluminum foils 16, allowing the insulation layer 15 to be exposed to the vacuum prevailing in the gap 14. The insulation layer 15 only partially fills the gap 14. Alternatively, the insulation layer 15 can also completely fill the gap 14.The insulation layer 15 lies on the outside of the inner container 3.

[0056] In the event that the insulation layer 15 does not completely fill the gap 14, a gap 18 that completely surrounds or encloses the insulation layer 15 can be provided between the insulation layer 15 and the outer container 10. The gap 18 is, in particular, part of the gap 14. The gap 18 can, for example, have a gap width of 100 mm. The gap 18 can be partially or completely filled with rock wool, glass wool, or another suitable insulating material attached to the inside of the outer container 10.

[0057] To produce the insulation layer 15, the layers of, for example, aluminum foil 16 and the layers of, for example, glass paper and / or glass silk 17 are wound alternately onto the inner container 3, in particular onto the base section 4 of the inner container 3. The production of the insulation layer 15 in the area of ​​the base sections 5, 6 is explained below.

[0058] Fig. 3 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a floor insulation 19 that can be attached to the floor sections 5, 6. Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of the floor insulation 19 along section line IV-IV of Fig. 3.

[0059] All subsequent statements concerning the first floor section 5 are correspondingly applicable to the second floor section 6 and vice versa. The floor insulation 19 is part of the insulation layer 15. The floor insulation 19 is assigned a symmetry or central axis 20, to which the floor insulation 19 can be constructed rotationally symmetrically. Furthermore, the floor insulation 19 is assigned an axial direction A, which can coincide with the central axis 20 or be arranged parallel to it. A radial direction R of the floor insulation 19 is oriented perpendicular to the central axis 20 and away from it. A circumferential direction U is oriented around the central axis 20. The circumferential direction U can be oriented counterclockwise. The circumferential direction U can also be oriented clockwise.

[0060] A base mold 21 is provided for producing the base insulation 19. The base mold 21 has a curved front side 22, which, in the orientation shown in Fig. 4, is oriented upwards. The geometry or shape of the front side 22 corresponds to the geometry or shape of the first base section 5. The base mold 21 can also be referred to as a dummy base. The front side 22 can be curved in the shape of a spherical cap. In this context, a "spherical cap" is understood to mean a section of a sphere or a spherical segment.

[0061] The production of the base insulation 19 is explained below. A support frame 23 is placed on the front side 22 of the base mold 21. The support frame 23, like the front side 22 or the first base section 5, has a curved geometry or shape. The support frame 23 can be lattice-shaped or strut-shaped. For example, the support frame 23 is made of expanded metal. The support frame 23 has a central opening 24. A central nozzle (not shown) can be passed through the central opening 24, with the aid of which the inner container 3 can be suspended from the outer container 10. The opening 24 can be designed rotationally symmetrically to the central axis 20.

[0062] The support frame 23 is connected, for example, by welding, to a ring 25 extending around the central axis 20. The ring 25 can be guided over a bottom weld seam provided between the first bottom section 5 and the base section 4 in order to connect the support frame 23, including the ring 25, to the inner container 3. In the orientation shown in Fig. 4, the ring 25 is positioned below the support frame 23. The ring 25 can be made, for example, from a perforated sheet.

[0063] A plurality of connectors 26, 27 are attached to the ring 25, only two of which are provided with a reference numeral in Fig. 4. The number of connectors 26, 27 is arbitrary. Preferably, the connectors 26, 27 are arranged at equal distances from one another and distributed around the central axis 20. To connect the support frame 23 and the ring 25 to the inner container 3, the connectors 26, 27 can be welded to the base section 4. Suitable connection points or welding points can be provided on the base section 4 for this purpose.

[0064] The connectors 26, 27 can be band-shaped or strip-shaped. For example, sheet metal strips can be used as connectors 26, 27. The connectors 26, 27 can also serve to connect the support frame 23 to the ring 25. This means, in particular, that a gap (not shown in Fig. 3) can be provided between the support frame 23 and the ring 25, which gap is bridged or spanned along the axial direction A by the connectors 26, 27. The support frame 23 therefore does not have to be directly connected to the ring 25.

[0065] A plurality of insulating elements or insulation elements 30, 31 are placed on the support frame 23 in several insulating layers or insulation layers 28, 29, of which only two per insulation layer 28, 29 are provided with a reference symbol in Fig. 3. A first insulation layer 28 rests on the support frame 23. A second insulation layer 29 rests on the first insulation layer 28, so that the first insulation layer 28 is arranged between the support frame 23 and the second insulation layer 29. The number of insulation layers 28, 29 is arbitrary. For example, three, four, five, or more than five insulation layers 28, 29 can be provided. However, at least two insulation layers 28, 29 are provided. Fig. 5 shows a schematic plan view of an embodiment of an insulating element 30 as mentioned above. Fig. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of the insulating element 30 according to the section line VI-VI of Fig. 5. Reference is made below to Fig.5 and 6 are referred to simultaneously.

[0066] All insulation elements 30, 31 are constructed identically. Therefore, all statements regarding insulation element 30 apply accordingly to insulation element 31, and vice versa. The insulation element 30 is ring-segment-shaped or cake-shaped and comprises a curved inner edge 32, an outer edge 33, and two side edges or abutting edges 34, 35. The abutting edges 34, 35 can also be referred to as cut edges. The insulation elements 30, 31 are wedge-shaped or ring-segment-shaped. A "ring segment" is understood here to be a section of a ring. Arranged next to one another, several insulation elements 30, 31 accordingly form a ring, in particular in the form of the respective insulation layer 28, 29.

[0067] The abutting edges 34, 35 are oriented obliquely to each other. The inner edge 32 forms a cylindrical section. The inner edge 32 faces the central axis 20. The outer edge 33 faces away from the central axis 20. The insulation element 30 can also be referred to as an insulation package or pie-piece package. In particular, the insulation element 30 can also be referred to as an MLI element or MLI package.

[0068] The insulation element 30 is constructed from a plurality of alternating layers of reflector layer and spacer layer, generally metallic foil (metal foil or metal-coated foil) and non-metallic material layer, for example aluminum foil 16 and glass paper and / or glass silk 17. For example, ten to fifteen layers are provided. The abutting edges 34, 35 are wrapped with glass paper and / or glass silk 17. This means that aluminum foils 16 of adjacently arranged insulation elements 30, 31 do not contact one another and thus no heat can be transferred between them. Instead of glass paper and / or glass silk 17, other materials can also be used to wrap the abutting edges 34, 35. For example, any woven fabric, scrim, fleece, or the like can be used. Now returning to Fig.3 and 4, the insulation elements 30, 31 are placed side by side on the support frame 23 to form the first insulation layer 28 along the circumferential direction U. Preferably, there is no gap or a gap of only a few millimeters between the abutting edges 34, 35 of adjacent insulation elements 30, 31. As previously mentioned, the glass paper and / or glass silk 17 wrapped around the abutting edges 34, 35 of the insulation elements 30, 31 also prevents the aluminum foils 16 of adjacent insulation elements 30, 31 from coming into contact with each other.

[0069] When placed on the support frame 23, the insulation elements 30, 31 are folded downward around an edge 36 of the support frame 23, so that the first insulation layer 28 has a first section 37, which rests on the top of the support frame 23, and a second section 38, which rests laterally on the support frame 23 and / or on the ring 25. The second section 38 is tubular or cylindrical. The second section 38 can completely or partially cover the ring 25. In the center, the first insulation layer 28, like the support frame 23, has an opening 39 through which the aforementioned central support piece can be passed. The inner edges 32 of all insulation elements 30, 31 of the first insulation layer 28 form the opening 39.

[0070] After the first insulation layer 28 has been completed, the second section 38 of the first insulation layer 28, which laterally overhangs the support frame 23, is secured using an annular retaining plate 40. The retaining plate 40 extends completely around the central axis 20 and at least partially covers the second section 38. However, the retaining plate 40 is optional.

[0071] The second insulation layer 29 is then produced. For this purpose, a plurality of insulation elements 30, 31 are placed on the first insulation layer 28. The insulation elements 30, 31 of the second insulation layer 29 are positioned such that the abutting edges 34, 35 of the insulation elements 30, 31 of the first insulation layer 28, viewed along the circumferential direction U, are offset from the abutting edges 34, 35 of the insulation elements 30, 31 of the second insulation layer 29, so that no continuous joint is created in the floor insulation 19. In other words, the abutting edges 34, 35 of the two insulation layers 28, 29, viewed along the axial direction A, are not placed one above the other. The insulation elements 30, 31 of the second insulation layer 29 are preferably placed such that their abutting edges 34, 35 are located in the middle between the abutting edges 34, 35 of the insulation elements 30, 31 of the first insulation layer 28.In particular, the insulation elements 30, 31 of the second insulation layer 29 are arranged such that their abutting edges 34, 35 are placed centrally between the abutting edges 34, 35 of the insulation elements 30, 31 of the first insulation layer 28.

[0072] The insulation elements 30, 31 are placed horizontally on the support frame 23, which in turn lies on the base form 21, which has suitable recesses.

[0073] The insulation elements 30, 31 of the second insulation layer 29 are folded downwards at the sides, so that the second insulation layer 29 also has a first section 41, which rests on the first section 37 of the first insulation layer 28, and a second section 42, which rests on the second section 38 of the first insulation layer 28. The second section 42 of the second insulation layer 29 does not completely cover the second section 38 of the first insulation layer 28, resulting in a stepped geometry.

[0074] In the center, the second insulation layer 29, like the supporting frame 23, has an opening 43 through which the aforementioned central support can be passed. The inner edges 32 of all insulation elements 30, 31 of the second insulation layer 29 form the opening 43.

[0075] After the second insulation layer 29 has been completed, the second section 42 of the second insulation layer 29, which laterally overhangs the first insulation layer 28, is secured using an annular retaining plate 44. The retaining plate 44 extends completely around the central axis 20 and at least partially covers the second section 42. However, the retaining plate 44 is optional. Before attaching the retaining plates 40, 44, the second sections 38, 42 can be cut to size. In particular, the second sections 38, 42 can be cut to size and wrapped with glass paper and / or glass silk 17.

[0076] The second sections 38, 42 of the insulation layers 28, 29, which drop vertically downward during assembly on the support frame 23, are fixed to the ring 25, which is positioned vertically and centrally below the base form 21 and is preferably made of a thin sheet and / or a perforated sheet, as described above. After fixing, the insulation elements 30, 31 of the insulation layers 28, 29 are cut such that the second sections 38, 42 form one or preferably two steps. The resulting cut edges are again wrapped with glass paper and / or glass silk 17.

[0077] After the second insulation layer 29, a third to nth insulation layer can be produced. The number of insulation layers 28, 29 is arbitrary. In particular, however, at least two insulation layers 28, 29 are provided. Once the placement of the insulation layers 28, 29 on the support frame 23 is complete, a retaining plate 45, for example, an aluminum sheet, is placed on an uppermost insulation layer, in this case the second insulation layer 29. The retaining plate 45 has a central opening 46 through which the aforementioned central support can be passed. The openings 24, 39, 43, 46 together form an opening 47 that penetrates the center of the floor insulation 19.

[0078] The retaining plate 45, the insulation layers 28, 29, and the supporting frame 23 are fixed to one another by means of several seams 48, 49, in other words, connected to one another, in particular sewn together. A stainless steel wire can be used as the material for the seams 48, 49. The seams 48, 49 can have any desired geometry. As shown in Fig. 3, the seams 48, 49 can, for example, have a circular geometry. However, the seams 48, 49 can run arbitrarily along the radial direction R and / or the circumferential direction U. The seams 48, 49 can also be designed in a zigzag shape, for example.

[0079] The floor insulation 19 is now complete and represents a self-supporting assembly that can be lifted from the floor form 21. To lift the floor insulation 19 from the floor form 21 and hold it, for example, on a crane, a crossbeam can fix two high-strength wires that are tensile-resistantly connected to the support frame 23 by means of a stop through the insulation layers 28, 29. After the floor insulation 19 has been installed, the wires are removed through the openings 24, 39, 43, 46 and through the opening 47, respectively, so that the MLI properties of the insulation layers 28, 29 are only slightly disturbed. As shown in Fig. 8, to mount a floor insulation 19 on the first floor section 5 and on the second floor section 6, the ring 25 is guided over a respective floor weld seam 51 provided between the floor sections 5, 6 and the base section 4.Subsequently, the connectors 26, 27 attached to the ring 25 are connected, in particular welded, to the base section 4. Alternating layers of aluminum foil 16 and glass paper and / or glass silk 17 are then wound onto the base section 4, whereby the stepped second sections 38, 42 of the insulation layers 28, 29 can also be wrapped. The base insulation 19, together with the layers of aluminum foil 16 and glass paper and / or glass silk 17 wound onto the base section 4, then form the insulation layer 15 that completely envelops the inner container 3.

[0080] Thus, the insulation of the floor sections 5, 6 is achieved using the cake-shaped insulation elements 30, 31, typically made of ten to fifteen layers of aluminum foil 16 and glass paper and / or glass silk 17, with their abutting edges 34, 35 being enclosed with glass paper and / or glass silk 17. The shape of the insulation elements 30, 31 is selected such that, on the one hand, they project beyond the floor section 5, 6 in the radial direction R and, on the other hand, they are mounted with a butt joint to one another with no gap or with a gap in the millimeter range to form the first insulation layer 28.

[0081] A circumference of the ring 25 is matched to an actual circumference of the inner container 3, so that during assembly, the ring 25 can be pulled over the bottom weld seam provided between the respective bottom section 5, 6 and the base section 4. The support frame 23 is mechanically connected to the ring 25 in a tensile-resistant manner, for example, via protruding sheet metal strips, for example in the form of connectors 26, 27. These sheet metal strips are welded to suitable pads 50 of the inner container 3, so that the support frame 23 and the ring 25 are mechanically fixed to the inner container 3.

[0082] The support frame 23 is also welded in the area of ​​the central support onto suitable pads (not shown in Fig. 8) provided on the respective base section 5, 6. During assembly, a circumferential marking on the base section 4 ensures the parallelism of the cut edges of the second sections 38, 42 with a circumference of the base section 4. When the base section 4 is wound with the multi-layer insulation, such as aluminum foil 16 and the glass paper and / or glass silk 17, the insulation layers 28, 29 are butt-connected to the respective second section 38, 42.

[0083] Since two outer webs of aluminum foil 16 and glass paper and / or glass silk 17 have a sufficient overhang from their adjacent inner webs at the start of winding, after reaching a desired number of windings in the second section 38 of the first insulation layer 28, only the rolls of the two outer webs need to be shifted to connect the second section 42 of the second insulation layer 29. The width of a gap at the second sections 38, 42, viewed along the axial direction A, is again between zero and a few millimeters.

[0084] The working time for providing the bottom sections of the inner container 3 with a bottom insulation is significantly reduced by the pre-assembled bottom insulation compared to a procedure in which the layers of aluminum foil 16 and glass paper and / or glass silk 17 are laid individually on the inner container.

[0085] Likewise, the winding of base section 4 can be completed with a reduced crew in at least half the time. The number of layers of aluminum foil 16 and glass paper and / or glass silk 17 in the area of ​​the base sections 5, 6 no longer necessarily needs to match the number of layers of aluminum foil 16 and glass paper and / or glass silk 17 in the area of ​​base section 4, so the number of layers can be optimized independently of each other.

[0086] Fig. 7 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a method for producing the floor insulation 19.

[0087] The method comprises a step S1 of providing the support frame 23. Providing can comprise manufacturing the support frame 23. In a step S2, a plurality of ring-segment-shaped insulation elements 30, 31 are arranged next to one another on the support frame 23 to form the floor insulation 19 or a plurality of insulation layers 28, 29. In particular, in step S2, a plurality of insulation layers 28, 29 arranged one above the other are formed, each of which is composed of a plurality of insulation elements 30, 31. In step S2, the insulation elements 30, 31 of the different insulation layers 28, 29 are arranged circumferentially offset from one another. The abutting edges 34, 35 of the insulation elements 30, 31 of superimposed insulation layers 28, 29 are thus offset from one another when viewed along the circumferential direction U.

[0088] In step S2, the insulation elements 30, 31 are folded around the edge 36 of the support frame 23, so that the insulation layers 28, 29 each have the first section 37, 41 arranged on the support frame 23 and the second section 38, 42 folded around the edge 36. The second sections 38, 42 can be cut to size in a suitable manner, resulting in a stepped geometry at the second sections 38, 42. After the floor insulation 19 is completed, it is attached to the respective floor section 5, 6, and the base section 4 is wrapped with alternating layers of aluminum foil 16 and glass paper and / or glass silk 17.

[0089] Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways.

[0090] Reference symbols used

[0091] 1 storage tank

[0092] 2 central axis

[0093] 3 inner containers

[0094] 4 Basic section

[0095] 5 floor section

[0096] 6 floor section

[0097] 7 Gas Zone

[0098] 8 Liquid zone

[0099] 9 Phase boundary

[0100] 10 outer containers

[0101] 11 Base section

[0102] 12 floor section

[0103] 13 floor section

[0104] 14 gap

[0105] 15 Insulation layer

[0106] 16 aluminum foil

[0107] 17 Glass paper and / or glass silk

[0108] 18 gap

[0109] 19 Floor insulation

[0110] 20 Central axis

[0111] 21 Bottom shape

[0112] 22 Front

[0113] 23 Support structure

[0114] 24 Breakthrough

[0115] 25 rings

[0116] 26 connectors

[0117] 27 connectors

[0118] 28 Insulation layer

[0119] 29 Isolation layer

[0120] 30 Insulation element

[0121] 31 Insulation element

[0122] 32 inner edge

[0123] 33 Outer edge 34 Butt edge

[0124] 35 butt edge

[0125] 36 Rand

[0126] Section 37

[0127] Section 38

[0128] 39 Breakthrough

[0129] 40 retaining plate

[0130] Section 41

[0131] Section 42

[0132] 43 Breakthrough

[0133] 44 retaining plate

[0134] 45 retaining plate

[0135] 46 Breakthrough

[0136] 47 Breakthrough

[0137] 48 seam

[0138] 49 Seam

[0139] 50 pads

[0140] 51 Bottom weld

[0141] A Axial direction g Gravity direction

[0142] H2 Cryogen / Hydrogen

[0143] R Radial direction

[0144] S1 step

[0145] S2 step

[0146] U circumferential direction

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Storage container (1) for storing a cryogen (H2), comprising an inner container (3) for receiving the cryogen (H2), an outer container (10) in which the inner container (3) is received, and an insulation layer (15) which encloses the inner container (3), wherein the inner container (3) has a tubular base section (4) and two bottom sections (5, 6) closing the base section (4) at the end, wherein the insulation layer (15) has bottom insulations (19) attached to the bottom sections (5, 6), wherein each bottom insulation (19) is composed of a plurality of ring-segment-shaped insulation elements (30, 31), wherein the bottom insulation (19) has a plurality of insulation layers (28, 29) arranged one above the other, each of which is composed of a plurality of insulation elements (30, 31), and wherein the insulation elements (30, 31) of the different Insulation layers (28, 29) are arranged circumferentially offset from one another, characterized in thatthat the floor insulation (19) has a supporting structure (23) which carries the insulation layers (28, 29).

2. Storage tank according to claim 1, wherein the bottom insulation (19) has a holding plate (45), and wherein the insulation layers (28, 29) are arranged between the support frame (23) and the holding plate (45).

3. Storage container according to claim 2, wherein the support frame (23), the insulation layers (28, 29) and the holding plate (45) are sewn together.

4. Storage container according to one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the bottom insulation (19) has a ring (25) connected to the support frame (23) and encircling the base portion (4).

5. Storage container according to claim 4, wherein the ring (25) is connected to the base portion (4) by means of strip-shaped connectors (26, 27).

6. Storage container according to one of claims 1 - 5, wherein the insulation elements (30, 31) are folded around an edge (36) of the support frame (23) so that the insulation layers (28, 29) each have a first section (37, 41) and a second section (38, 42) folded over the edge (36).

7. Storage container according to claim 6, wherein the second portion (42) of the second insulation layer (29) is shorter in the axial direction (A) of the storage container than the second portion (38) of the first insulation layer (28).

8. Storage container according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the second portion (38, 42) is fixed by means of an annular retaining plate (40, 44).

9. Storage container according to one of claims 1 - 8, wherein the insulation elements (30, 31) comprise a plurality of alternately arranged layers of metallic foil (16) and non-metallic material layer (17), in particular a plurality of alternately arranged layers of perforated and / or embossed aluminium foil (16) and glass paper and / or glass silk (17).

10. Storage container according to one of claims 1 - 9, wherein mutually facing abutting edges (34, 35) of the insulation elements (30, 31) are wrapped with a non-metallic material layer, in particular with glass paper and / or glass silk (17).

11. Storage container according to one of claims 1-10, wherein the insulation layer (15) comprises a plurality of alternately arranged layers of metallic foil (16) and non-metallic material layer (17), in particular a plurality of alternately arranged layers of aluminium foil (16) and glass paper and / or glass silk (17) which are wound onto the base portion (4).

12. Method for producing a bottom insulation (19) for a storage container (1) for storing a cryogen (H2), comprising the following steps: a) providing (S1) a support frame (23), and b) arranging (S2) a plurality of ring-segment-shaped insulation elements (30, 31) next to one another and one above the other on the support frame (23), wherein a plurality of insulation layers (28, 29) are formed, each of which is composed of a plurality of insulation elements (30, 31), and wherein the Insulation elements (30, 31) of the different insulation layers (28, 29) are arranged circumferentially offset from one another.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein prior to step b) the support frame is placed on a base mold (21).

14. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein in step b) the insulation elements (30, 31) are folded around an edge (36) of the support frame (23) so that the insulation layers (28, 29) each have a first section (37, 41) arranged on the support frame (23) and a second section (38, 42) folded around the edge (36).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the second sections (38, 42) of superimposed insulation layers (28, 29) are cut to form one or more steps.

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