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

[0002] The applicant is aware of internally developed double-walled storage containers for liquid hydrogen, comprising an outer container and an inner container arranged inside the outer container for holding the liquid hydrogen. A gap provided between the inner and outer containers is pressurized with a vacuum. A multi-layered insulating layer can be arranged in this gap, enclosing the inner container. The inner container is cylindrical, with the insulating layer at the bottom sections consisting of individual layers of metallic foil and non-metallic intermediate layers.

[0003] US 3 540 615 A ​​relates to a multilayer insulation for cryogenic containers and forms the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] Against this background, one object of the present invention is to provide an improved storage container.

[0005] Accordingly, a storage container for storing a cryogen is proposed. The storage container comprises an inner container for receiving the cryogen, an outer container in which the inner container is received, and an insulating layer enclosing the inner container, wherein the inner container has a tubular base section and two bottom sections closing the end face of the base section, wherein the insulating layer has bottom insulation attached to the bottom sections, and wherein each bottom insulation is composed of a plurality of ring-segment-shaped insulating elements.

[0006] The storage container is particularly suitable for transporting the cryogen. Therefore, it can also be referred to as a transport container. The storage container is at least double-walled and can therefore also be called a double-walled storage container. The cryogen can be liquid hydrogen. The term "cryogen" can therefore be used interchangeably with "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 suited 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, especially a watercraft. In this case, the storage container is suitable for mobile applications.However, the storage container can also be used in a stationary manner, for example in building technology.

[0007] The storage container is preferably rotationally symmetrical about a central or symmetry axis. Accordingly, the inner and outer containers are also rotationally symmetrical about the central axis. The storage container is preferably arranged such that the central axis runs perpendicular to a direction of gravity. That is, 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.

[0008] The inner container and the outer container are preferably both cylindrical. Like the inner container, the outer container preferably has a tubular or cylindrical base section that is rotationally symmetrical about its central axis. Both the base section of the inner container and the base section of the outer container are preferably closed at their ends by two outwardly convex bottom sections. However, this is not mandatory. The bottom 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 surrounds the inner container. The inner container can also be referred to as the inner tank. The outer container can also be referred to as the outer tank.

[0009] The bottom sections of the inner container are preferably welded to the base section of the inner container. A corresponding bottom weld is provided for this purpose. In particular, each bottom section has bottom insulation as described above. This means, in particular, that preferably two bottom insulation layers are provided, which are part of the insulation layer surrounding the inner container.

[0010] In this context, a "ring segment" is understood to be a section of a ring. Accordingly, the bottom insulation is preferably ring-shaped. The bottom insulation preferably has a central opening through which a central fitting attached to the respective bottom segment can pass. Each bottom segment can be assigned such a central fitting. The inner container is suspended from the outer container by means of the central fittings. The insulation elements are preferably prefabricated. In particular, the insulation elements have (commercially available) multilayer insulation (MLI). For example, the insulation elements are block-shaped. To form the bottom insulation, the insulation elements are arranged side by side. The insulation elements are preferably wedge-shaped or wedge-shaped.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the floor insulation has several layers of insulation arranged one above the other, each composed of a plurality of insulation elements, wherein the insulation elements of the different insulation layers are arranged offset from each other by their circumference.

[0012] 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 offset from each other, the butt edges of the insulation elements of one insulation layer are oriented such that they are covered by insulation elements of an insulation layer above or below. In particular, each insulation element has two butt edges that are arranged at an angle to each other. When forming the floor insulation, the insulation elements are arranged so that the butt edges of adjacent insulation elements face each other.The butt joints of the next insulation layer are arranged in such a way that they are not covered above the butt joints of insulation elements of an underlying insulation layer. "Circular" here means viewed along a circumferential direction.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the floor insulation has a supporting frame that holds the insulation layers. This makes it possible to form a (self-supporting) assembly consisting of a supporting frame and the insulation elements mounted on it, which can be pre-assembled and then applied to a specific floor section.

[0014] The supporting structure is curved, similar to the respective floor section. It can be strut-like or grid-like. For example, the supporting structure is made of expanded metal. The supporting structure is firmly connected to the respective floor section. For example, it can be welded to the respective floor section.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the floor insulation has a retaining plate, wherein the insulation layers are arranged between the support frame and the retaining plate.

[0016] The retaining plate can be, for example, an aluminum sheet. To create the floor insulation, several layers of insulation are first placed on the supporting frame and then covered with the retaining plate. This results in a sandwich-like structure for the floor insulation, with the insulation layers positioned between the supporting frame and the retaining plate.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the supporting frame, the insulation layers and the retaining plate are sewn together.

[0018] Stainless steel wire, for example, can be used as the suture material. Several ring-shaped seams can be used, for instance. However, the seams can run radially and / or circumferentially as desired. The seams can also be zigzag-shaped.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the floor insulation has a ring connected to the support structure that surrounds the base section.

[0020] The ring is guided, in particular, over the respective bottom weld, which connects the respective bottom section to the base section. The ring can, for example, be directly connected to the supporting structure. However, the ring can also be connected to the supporting structure using strip-shaped or sheet-metal connectors.

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

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

[0023] According to another embodiment, the insulation elements are folded over an edge of the support frame, so that the insulation layers each have a first section arranged on the support frame and a second section folded over 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 ring-shaped 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. This means that the second section of the first insulation layer does not completely cover the second section of the second insulation layer, leaving an area of ​​the first insulation layer uncovered by the second insulation layer. This results in a stepped geometry. Therefore, the second sections of different insulation layers are preferably cut in such a way that a stepped geometry results at the second sections.Each nth insulation layer therefore preferably has a shorter second section than the respective (n-1)th insulation layer below it.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the second section is fixed using an annular retaining plate.

[0026] Each second section can be assigned such a retaining plate. In particular, after the second sections have been cut to size, the ring-shaped retaining plates are attached to the insulation layers. For example, the retaining plates are made of aluminum sheets.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the insulating elements have a plurality of alternating layers of metallic foil and non-metallic material. The metallic foil can be a metal foil or a metal-coated foil. Preferably, the insulating elements have a plurality of alternating layers of aluminum foil and glass paper and / or glass fiber.

[0028] For example, each insulating element has ten to fifteen alternating layers of aluminum foil and glass paper and / or fiberglass. The layers or layers of perforated and / or embossed aluminum foil act as reflectors, and the glass paper and / or fiberglass acts as spacers between adjacent aluminum foils.

[0029] According to a further embodiment, the opposing butt edges of the insulating elements are covered with a non-metallic material layer, preferably glass paper and / or glass silk.

[0030] This prevents the aluminum foils of adjacent insulation elements from contacting each other. This prevents heat transfer between adjacent insulation elements. The insulation elements are positioned in such a way that there is no gap between the butt joints of adjacent insulation elements, or the gap is only a few millimeters.

[0031] According to a further embodiment, the insulating 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 fiber, wound onto the base section. A metallic foil can be a metal foil or a metal-coated foil.

[0032] Before winding the alternating layers of metallic foil and non-metallic intermediate layers, such as aluminum foil and glass paper and / or fiberglass, onto the base section, the bottom insulation is attached to the bottom sections of the inner container. The layers of, for example, aluminum foil and glass paper and / or fiberglass are then wound onto the base section. The previously mentioned stepped geometry on the second sections of the insulation layers can be covered by the layers of aluminum foil and glass paper and / or fiberglass wound onto the base section.

[0033] Furthermore, a method for producing a bottom insulation for a storage vessel for storing a cryogen is proposed. The method comprises the following steps: a) providing a support structure, and b) arranging a plurality of ring-segment-shaped insulation elements side by side on the support structure to form the bottom insulation.

[0034] As mentioned previously, when arranging the insulation elements side by side, no gap or only a gap of a few millimeters is left between the butt joints of adjacent insulation elements. Before step a), the support frame is placed on a base form. The base form has a curved geometry that corresponds to the geometry of the bottom sections of the inner container. The base form can also be referred to as a dummy base. The base insulation is prefabricated on the base form. Once all the components of the base insulation are assembled, it is lifted from the base form and attached to the storage container. Subsequently, as mentioned previously, numerous alternating layers of aluminum foil and glass paper and / or fiberglass are wound onto the base section.

[0035] 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 offset from each other by their circumference.

[0036] As mentioned previously, the number of insulation layers stacked on top of each other is arbitrary. When constructing the insulation layers, the insulation elements are arranged in such a way that the abutting edges of the insulation elements of two directly stacked insulation layers do not overlap.

[0037] According to a further embodiment, in step b) the insulation elements are folded over an edge of the support frame, so that the insulation layers each have a first section arranged on the support frame and a second section folded over the edge.

[0038] After the second section is folded over, it is trimmed to form a tubular or hollow cylindrical shape. The second sections of stacked insulation layers are preferably trimmed to form several steps, resulting in the aforementioned stepped geometry. These second sections can then be wrapped in a non-metallic material layer, such as glass paper and / or fiberglass.

[0039] The term "one" here should not necessarily be understood as restricting the count to exactly one element. Rather, it can also refer to multiple elements, such as two, three, or more. Similarly, every other counter used here should not be interpreted as requiring a precise restriction to exactly the corresponding number of elements. Rather, numerical deviations, both higher and lower, are possible.

[0040] Other possible implementations of the storage container and / or the method also include combinations of features or embodiments described previously or subsequently with regard to the exemplary embodiments, even if not explicitly mentioned. In such cases, 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.

[0041] Further advantageous embodiments 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 further explained below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a storage container; Fig. 2 The detailed view II shows according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of a bottom insulation for the storage container according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of the floor insulation according to section line IV-IV of the Fig. 3 ; Fig. 5 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of an insulation element for floor insulation according to Fig. 3 ; Fig. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of the insulation element according to section line VI-VI of the Fig. 5 ; Fig. 7 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a method for producing floor insulation according to Fig. 3 ; and Fig. 8 shows a schematic view of the floor insulation applied to a floor section of the inner container. Fig. 3 and 4

[0042] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements have been given the same reference symbols, unless otherwise indicated.

[0043] The Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of a storage container 1. Fig. 2 The detailed view II shows according to the Fig. 1 The following refers to the Fig. 1 and 2 Reference was made at the same time.

[0044] Storage container 1 can also be referred to as a storage tank. Storage container 1 is preferably suitable for storing liquid hydrogen H₂ (boiling point: 1 bara: 20.268 K = -252.882 °C). Therefore, storage container 1 can also be referred to as a hydrogen storage container or hydrogen storage tank. However, storage container 1 can also be used for other cryogenic liquids. Examples of cryogenic fluids or liquids, or simply cryogens, are, in addition to the aforementioned 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).

[0045] Storage container 1 can be a transport container. For example, liquid hydrogen (H2) can be transported using storage container 1. Storage container 1 can be part of a vehicle, particularly a watercraft. In this case, storage container 1 is suitable for mobile applications. However, storage container 1 can also be used in stationary applications, such as in building technology.

[0046] The storage container 1 is preferably rotationally symmetrical about a symmetry or central axis 2. The central axis 2 is oriented perpendicular to a gravitational direction g. The storage container 1 comprises a first container or inner container 3, which is also rotationally symmetrical about the central axis 2. The inner container 3 comprises a tubular or cylindrical base section 4, which is also rotationally symmetrical about the central axis 2. The base section 4 can have a circular or approximately circular cross-section.

[0047] The base section 4 is closed on both ends by means of a cover section or bottom section 5, 6. The bottom sections 5, 6 are convex. A first bottom section 5 and a second bottom section 6 are convex in opposite directions, so that the bottom sections 5, 6 are convex outwards with respect to the base section 4. The inner container 3 is fluid-tight, in particular gas-tight. The inner container 3 may be made of stainless steel.

[0048] The inner container 3 holds the liquid hydrogen H2. As long as the hydrogen H2 is in the two-phase region, the inner container 3 can contain a gas zone 7 with vaporized hydrogen H2 and a liquid zone 8 with liquid hydrogen H2. Therefore, after being filled into the inner container 3, the hydrogen H2 exhibits two phases with different states of matter, namely liquid and gaseous. This means that there is a phase boundary 9 in the inner container 3 between the liquid hydrogen H2 and the gaseous hydrogen H2.

[0049] The inner container 3 is completely enclosed within a second container or outer container 10. The storage container 1 is therefore double-walled. The outer container 10 is also rotationally symmetrical about the central axis 2. Like the inner container 3, the outer container 10 comprises a tubular or cylindrical base section 11, which is also rotationally symmetrical about the central axis 2. The base section 11 can have a circular or nearly circular cross-section.

[0050] The base section 11 is closed at each end by a cover section or bottom section 12, 13. In particular, a first bottom section 12 and a second bottom section 13 are provided. The bottom sections 12, 13 are oppositely convex, so that the bottom sections 12, 13 are convex outwards with respect 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.

[0051] A gap 14, completely enclosing or surrounding the inner container 3, is provided between the inner container 3 and the outer container 10. The gap 14 is pressurized with a vacuum. In this context, "vacuum" is understood to mean, in particular, a pressure of less than 300 mbar, preferably less than 10⁻³ mbar, and more preferably less than 10⁻⁵ mbar. The storage container 1 is thus vacuum-insulated or vacuum-damped. The fact that the gap 14 completely "encloses" or "surrounds" the inner container 3 means, in this context, that the gap 14 completely surrounds the base section 4 and is also provided between the two first bottom sections 5, 12 and between the two second bottom sections 6, 13.

[0052] In the gap 14 there is a thermal insulation layer or insulating layer 15 that completely encloses or surrounds the inner container 3 ( Fig. 2 ) provided. That is, 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. That is, the insulation layer 15 comprises a multitude of layers. The insulation layer 15 can therefore also be referred to as a multi-layer insulation layer or a multi-layer thermal insulation layer.

[0053] In particular, the insulating layer 15 is a so-called multilayer insulation (MLI). The insulating 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 fiber 17 as spacers between adjacent aluminum foils 16. In the Fig. 2 Each layer consists of two layers of aluminum foil 16 and two layers of glass paper and / or glass fiber 17, each marked with a reference symbol. The glass paper and / or glass fiber 17 acts as a spacer between two adjacent aluminum foils 16, allowing the insulating layer 15 to be subjected to the vacuum prevailing in the gap 14. The insulating layer 15 only partially fills the gap 14. Alternatively, the insulating layer 15 can also completely fill the gap 14. The insulating layer 15 rests against the outer surface of the inner container 3.

[0054] If the insulation layer 15 does not completely fill the gap 14, a gap 18 completely enclosing or surrounding 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 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.

[0055] To produce the insulating 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 insulating layer 15 in the area of ​​the bottom sections 5, 6 is explained below.

[0056] The Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of a floor insulation 19, which can be attached to the floor sections 5 and 6. Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of the floor insulation 19 according to section line IV-IV of the Fig. 3 .

[0057] All subsequent statements concerning the first soil section 5 are applicable accordingly to the second soil section 6 and vice versa. The soil insulation 19 is part of the insulation layer 15. The soil insulation 19 has a central axis 20, about which it can be rotationally symmetrical. Furthermore, the soil insulation 19 has an axial direction A, which can coincide with or be parallel to the central axis 20. A radial direction R of the soil insulation 19 is perpendicular to and oriented away from the central axis 20. A circumferential direction U is oriented around the central axis 20. The circumferential direction U can be oriented counterclockwise or clockwise.

[0058] A floor mold 21 is provided for producing the floor insulation 19. The floor mold 21 has a curved front face 22, which is oriented in the direction of Fig. 4 The front surface 22 is oriented upwards. Its geometry or shape corresponds to that of the first floor section 5. The floor shape 21 can also be referred to as a dummy floor. The front surface 22 can be curved in a spherical cap shape. In this context, a "spherical cap" refers to a section of a sphere or a spherical segment.

[0059] The following describes the production of the floor insulation 19. A support frame 23 is placed on the front surface 22 of the floor form 21. Like the front surface 22 and the first floor section 5, the support frame 23 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, which allows the inner container 3 to be suspended from the outer container 10. The opening 24 can be rotationally symmetrical about the central axis 20.

[0060] The support frame 23 is connected, for example by welding, to a ring 25 running around the central axis 20. The ring 25 can be guided via a bottom weld provided between the first bottom section 5 and the base section 4 in order to connect the support frame 23 together with the ring 25 to the inner container 3. In the orientation of the Fig. 4 Ring 25 is positioned below the support frame 23. Ring 25 can, for example, be made of perforated sheet metal.

[0061] A large number of connectors 26, 27 are attached to the ring 25, of which in the Fig. 4 Only two are marked with a reference numeral. The number of connectors 26, 27 is arbitrary. Preferably, the connectors 26, 27 are arranged at even intervals 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 attachment points or welding points can be provided on the base section 4 for this purpose.

[0062] The connectors 26, 27 can be in the form of bands or strips. 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 connection is made between the support frame 23 and the ring 25. Fig. 3 A gap (not shown) may be provided, which is bridged or spanned along the axial direction A by the connectors 26, 27. The support structure 23 therefore does not need to be directly connected to the ring 25.

[0063] A large number of insulating elements 30, 31 are placed on the supporting frame 23 in several layers of insulation 28, 29, of which in the Fig. 3 Only two insulation layers 28, 29 are designated with a reference symbol. A first insulation layer 28 rests on the support frame 23. A second insulation layer 29 rests on top of the first insulation layer 28, so that the first insulation layer 28 is positioned 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.

[0064] The Fig. 5 shows a schematic top view of an embodiment of an insulating element 30 as previously mentioned. Fig. 6 shows a schematic sectional view of the insulation element 30 according to section line VI-VI of the Fig. 5 The following refers to the Fig. 5 und 6 Reference was made at the same time.

[0065] All insulation elements 30, 31 have an identical construction. Therefore, all descriptions concerning insulation element 30 apply accordingly to insulation element 31 and vice versa. The insulation element 30 is ring-segment or pie-shaped and comprises a curved inner edge 32, an outer edge 33, and two side edges or butt edges 34, 35. The butt edges 34, 35 can also be referred to as cut edges. The insulation elements 30, 31 are wedge-shaped or ring-segment shaped. In this context, a "ring segment" is understood to be a section of a ring. Arranged side by side, several insulation elements 30, 31 accordingly form a ring, in particular in the form of the respective insulation layer 28, 29.

[0066] The butt edges 34 and 35 are oriented obliquely to each other. The inner edge 32 forms a cylindrical segment. 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 a pie-slice package. In particular, the insulation element 30 can also be referred to as an MLI element or MLI package.

[0067] The insulating element 30 is composed of a multitude of alternating layers of reflective 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 fiber 17. For example, ten to fifteen layers are provided. The butt joints 34, 35 are wrapped with glass paper and / or glass fiber 17. This prevents the aluminum foils 16 of adjacent insulating elements 30, 31 from contacting each other, and thus prevents heat transfer between them. Other materials can be used for wrapping the butt joints 34, 35 instead of glass paper and / or glass fiber 17. For example, any woven fabric, nonwoven, fleece, or the like can be used.

[0068] Now returning to the Fig. 3 and 4The insulation elements 30, 31 are placed side by side on the support frame 23 to form the first insulation layer 28, viewed along the circumferential direction U. Preferably, there is no gap or a gap of only a few millimeters between the butt edges 34, 35 of adjacent insulation elements 30, 31. As mentioned previously, the glass paper and / or glass fiber 17 folded over the butt edges 34, 35 of the insulation elements 30, 31 also prevents the aluminum foils 16 of adjacent insulation elements 30, 31 from contacting each other.

[0069] When the insulation elements 30, 31 are placed on the support frame 23, they are folded downwards 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 support frame 23 on its upper side, and a second section 38, which abuts the support frame 23 and / or the ring 25 laterally. The second section 38 is tubular or cylindrical. The second section 38 can completely or partially cover the ring 25. The first insulation layer 28, like the support frame 23, has a central opening 39 through which the aforementioned central stub 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 completion of the first insulation layer 28, the second section 38 of the first insulation layer 28, which overhangs laterally beyond the support frame 23, is fixed 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 large number 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 butt edges 34, 35 of the insulation elements 30, 31 of the first insulation layer 28 are offset from the butt edges 34, 35 of the insulation elements 30, 31 of the second insulation layer 29 when viewed along the circumferential direction U, so that no continuous butt joint is formed in the floor insulation 19. In other words, the butt edges 34, 35 of the two insulation layers 28, 29 are not positioned one above the other when viewed along the axial direction A.

[0072] The insulation elements 30, 31 of the second insulation layer 29 are preferably positioned such that their abutting edges 34, 35 lie 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 thus 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] The insulation elements 30, 31 of the second insulation layer 29 are folded laterally downwards, 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 abuts 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.

[0075] The second insulation layer 29, like the supporting structure 23, has a central opening 43 through which the aforementioned central stub can be passed. The inner edges 32 of all insulation elements 30, 31 of the second insulation layer 29 form the opening 43.

[0076] After the second insulation layer 29 is completed, the second section 42 of the second insulation layer 29, which overhangs laterally beyond the first insulation layer 28, is fixed 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. The retaining plate 44 is optional. Before attaching the retaining plates 40 and 44, the second sections 38 and 42 can be cut to size. In particular, the second sections 38 and 42 can be cut to size and wrapped with fiberglass paper and / or fiberglass 17.

[0077] The second sections 38, 42 of the insulation layers 28, 29, which fall vertically downwards 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 thin sheet metal and / or perforated sheet metal, as described above. After fixing, the insulation elements 30, 31 of the insulation layers 28, 29 are cut so that the second sections 38, 42 form one or preferably two steps. The resulting cut edges are then covered with glass paper and / or fiberglass 17.

[0078] After the second insulation layer 29, a third to nth insulation layer can be produced. The number of insulation layers 28, 29 is arbitrary. 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 the 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 spigot can be passed. The openings 24, 39, 43, 46 together form an opening 47 that penetrates the floor insulation 19 in the center.

[0079] The retaining plate 45, the insulation layers 28, 29, and the support frame 23 are fixed to one another by means of several seams 48, 49; in other words, they are joined together, in particular sewn together. Stainless steel wire can be used as the material for the seams 48, 49. The seams 48, 49 can have any geometry. As shown in the Fig. 3 As shown, the seams 48 and 49 can, for example, have a circular geometry. However, the seams 48 and 49 can run arbitrarily along the radial direction R and / or the circumferential direction U. The seams 48 and 49 can also, for example, be designed in a zigzag shape.

[0080] The floor insulation 19 is now complete and forms a self-supporting assembly that can be lifted off the floor form 21. To lift the floor insulation 19 off the floor form 21 and, for example, hold it on a crane, a crossbeam can fix two high-strength wires that are tensilely 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 minimally affected.

[0081] As in Fig. 8 As shown, to mount a bottom insulation 19 to the first bottom section 5 and the second bottom section 6, the ring 25 is guided over a respective bottom weld 51 provided between the bottom sections 5, 6 and the base section 4. The connectors 26, 27 attached to the ring 25 are then connected to the base section 4, in particular by welding. Layers of aluminum foil 16 and glass paper and / or glass fiber 17 are then wound alternately onto the base section 4, whereby the stepped second sections 38, 42 of the insulation layers 28, 29 can also be wound in. The bottom insulations 19 then form, together with the layers of aluminum foil 16 and glass paper and / or glass fiber 17 wound onto the base section 4, the insulation layer 15 that completely encloses the inner container 3.

[0082] Thus, the insulation of the floor sections 5, 6 is achieved using the pie-shaped insulation elements 30, 31, typically consisting of ten to fifteen layers of aluminum foil 16 and glass paper and / or glass fiber 17, the butt joints 34, 35 of which are covered with glass paper and / or glass fiber 17. The shape of the insulation elements 30, 31 is chosen such that they project beyond the floor section 5, 6 in the radial direction R and are mounted with a butt joint to each other with no gap or with a gap in the millimeter range to form the first insulation layer 28.

[0083] The circumference of ring 25 is matched to the actual circumference of the inner container 3, so that during assembly, ring 25 can be pulled over the bottom weld seam provided between the respective bottom sections 5, 6 and the base section 4. The support frame 23 is mechanically connected to ring 25, for example, via protruding sheet metal strips, such as connectors 26, 27, in a tensile-resistant manner. These sheet metal strips are welded to suitable pads 50 of the inner container 3, so that the support frame 23 and ring 25 are mechanically fixed to the inner container 3.

[0084] The support frame 23 is also placed on suitable pads in the area of ​​the central nozzle (in Fig. 8 (not shown) welded, which are provided on the respective base sections 5, 6. During assembly, the parallelism of the cut edges of the second sections 38, 42 with a circumference of the base section 4 is ensured by means of a circumferential mark on the base section 4. When the base section 4 is wrapped with the multilayer insulation, such as aluminum foil 16 and glass paper and / or glass fiber 17, a butt joint is made to the respective second section 38, 42 of the insulation layers 28, 29.

[0085] Since two outer webs of the aluminum foil 16 and the glass paper and / or glass fiber 17 have a sufficient overlap with their adjacent inner webs when winding begins, after reaching the desired number of turns 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.

[0086] The working time for providing the bottom sections of the inner container 3 with bottom insulation is significantly reduced by the pre-assembled bottom insulation compared to a procedure in which the layers of aluminium foil 16 and glass paper and / or glass silk 17 are individually placed on the inner container.

[0087] Similarly, the winding of the 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 bottom sections 5, 6 no longer necessarily has to correspond to the number of layers of aluminum foil 16 and glass paper and / or glass silk 17 in the area of ​​the base section 4, so that the number of layers can be optimized independently.

[0088] The Fig. 7 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a method for producing soil insulation 19.

[0089] The process comprises a step S1 of providing the support structure 23. The provision may include the manufacture of the support structure 23. In a step S2, a plurality of the ring-segment-shaped insulation elements 30, 31 are arranged side by side on the support structure 23 to form the floor insulation 19 or several insulation layers 28, 29.

[0090] In particular, in step S2, several superimposed insulation layers 28, 29 are formed, each 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 offset from one another circumferentially. The butt edges 34, 35 of the insulation elements 30, 31 of superimposed insulation layers 28, 29 are thus offset from one another along the circumferential direction U.

[0091] In step S2, the insulation elements 30, 31 are folded over 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 over the edge 36. The second sections 38, 42 can be cut to size in a suitable manner, resulting in a stepped geometry on 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 fiber 17.

[0092] Although the present invention has been described using exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in many ways. Verwendete Bezugszeichen

[0093] 1 Storage tank 2 Central axis 3 Inner tank 4 Base section 5 Bottom section 6 Bottom section 7 Gas zone 8 Liquid zone 9 Phase boundary 10 Outer tank 11 Base section 12 Bottom section 13 Bottom section 14 Gap 15 Insulation layer 16 Aluminum foil 17 Glass paper and / or fiberglass 18 Gap 19 Bottom insulation 20 Central axis 21 Bottom shape 22 Front 23 Support frame 24 Opening 25 Ring 26 Connector 27 Connector 28 Insulation layer 29 Insulation layer 30 Insulation element 31 Insulation element 32 Inner edge 33 Outer edge 34 Impact edge 35 Impact edge 36 Edge 37 Section 38 Section 39 Opening 40 Retaining plate 41 Section 42 Section 43 Opening 44 Retaining plate 45 Retaining plate 46 Opening 47 Opening 48 Seam 49 Seam 50 Pad 51 Bottom weld Axial direction g Gravity direction H2 Cryogen / Hydrogen R Radial direction S1 Step S2 Step U Circumferential direction

Claims

1. A 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 insulating layer (15) enclosing the inner container (3), the inner container (3) having a tubular main portion (4) and two bottom portions (5, 6) closing the end face of the main portion (4), the insulating layer (15) having bottom insulations (19) attached to the bottom portions (5, 6), each bottom insulation (19) being composed of a plurality of ring-segment-shaped insulating elements (30, 31), the bottom insulation (19) having multiple insulating plies (28, 29) arranged one above the other, each of which is composed of a plurality of insulating elements (30, 31), and the insulating elements (30, 31) of the different insulating plies (28, 29) being arranged offset from each other along their circumference, characterized in that the bottom insulation (19) has a support frame (23) which supports the insulating plies (28, 29).

2. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the bottom insulation (19) has a holding plate (45), and wherein the insulating plies (28, 29) are arranged between the support frame (23) and the holding plate (45).

3. The storage container according to claim 2, wherein the support frame (23), the insulating plies (28, 29) and the holding plate (45) are sewn together.

4. The storage container according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bottom insulation (19) has a ring (25) which is connected to the support frame (23) and which runs around the main portion (4).

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

6. The storage container according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the insulating elements (30, 31) are folded around a rim (36) of the support frame (23), so that the insulating plies (28, 29) each have a first portion (37, 41) arranged on the support frame (23) and a second portion (38, 42) folded around the rim (36).

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

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

9. The storage container according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the insulating elements (30, 31) have a plurality of alternately arranged plies of metallic foil (16) and non-metallic material layer (17), in particular a plurality of alternately arranged plies of perforated and / or embossed aluminum foil (16) and glass paper and / or glass silk (17).

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

11. The storage container according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the insulating layer (15) comprises a plurality of alternately arranged plies of metallic foil (16) and non-metallic material layer (17), in particular a plurality of alternately arranged plies of aluminum foil (16) and glass paper and / or glass silk (17), which are wound onto the main portion (4).

12. A 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 insulating elements (30, 31) side by side and one above the other on the support frame (23), forming multiple insulating plies (28, 29) which are each composed of a plurality of insulating elements (30, 31), and wherein the insulating elements (30, 31) of the different insulating plies (28, 29) are arranged offset from each other along their circumference.

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

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

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the second portions (38, 42) of insulating plies (28, 29) arranged one above the other are cut to size such that the second portions form one or more steps.

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