Cryogenic fluid storage device

Abstract

The invention relates to a cryogenic fluid storage device comprising a reservoir (2) extending along a longitudinal direction (A) and intended to contain liquefied gas (3) in equilibrium with a gaseous phase, a liquid injection ramp (4) extending along the longitudinal direction (A) in the upper part of the reservoir (2), the injection ramp (4) comprising a plurality of liquid outlets spaced along the longitudinal direction (A), the injection ramp (4) comprising a porous portion for diffusing the liquid into the reservoir (2), the porous surface having a permeability greater than five Darcy. (Short figure: Fig. 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Cryogenic fluid storage device

[0001] The invention relates to a cryogenic fluid storage device.

[0002] The invention applies in particular to the storage of liquid hydrogen.

[0003] The invention relates more particularly to a cryogenic fluid storage device comprising a tank extending in a longitudinal direction and intended to contain liquefied gas in equilibrium with a gaseous phase, a liquid injection ramp in the tank extending in the longitudinal direction in the upper part of the tank, the injection ramp comprising a plurality of liquid outlets spaced in the longitudinal direction.

[0004] To carry out fillings in trucks or more generally in cryogenic tanks, it is known to provide ramps or perforated bars in the tanks to ensure good uniformity of filling.

[0005] This is intended to ensure uniform filling of the liquid through the vapor headspace. This is intended to ensure heat exchange between the liquid phase, which is generally subcooled, and the vapor in the vapor headspace present in the tank. This is intended to partially condense the vapor headspace in the tank with the incoming liquid (or at least cool it or keep it as cold as possible).

[0006] Without any further action during filling, the liquid level rises and the vapor from the gaseous sky begins to compress, which leads both to its temperature rising and to the pressure rising throughout the entire tank by piston effect.

[0007] The temperature increase can lead to vaporization and therefore loss of cryogenic liquid. It also causes temperature stratification along the vertical height. The pressure increase can very quickly cause pressure equalization and thus reduce the injection bar's ability to deliver more liquid into the tank. This negatively impacts the mass efficiency of the filling process.

[0008] Known solutions involve using injection rods with perforations (holes drilled on the lateral surface). These perforations aim to better distribute and even out the liquid flow in the gaseous space in order to improve heat exchange and keep the liquid cold or even partially condense it to maintain a low pressure level. However, the impact of this solution remains very marginal compared to the ideal case.

[0009] One object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art noted above.

[0010] To this end, the device according to the invention, which otherwise conforms to the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that that the injection rail includes a porous portion to diffuse the liquid into the reservoir, the porous surface having a permeability greater than five Darcy.

[0011] Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: - the device includes several injection ramps and a porous portion.

[0012] The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below features within the scope of the claims.

[0013] Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description, given with reference to the figures in which: Brief description of the figures

[0014] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0015] [Fig. 1] is a schematic and partial longitudinal vertical cross-sectional view of a storage device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention,

[0016] [Fig.2] is a schematic and partial cross-sectional view of the device storage according to the invention,

[0017] [Fig.3] is a schematic and partial top view of the storage device. Detailed description

[0018] In all figures, the same references refer to the same elements.

[0019] In this detailed description, the following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not mean that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Simple features from different embodiments can also be combined and / or interchanged to provide other embodiments.

[0020] The cryogenic fluid storage device 1 comprises a tank 2 extending along a longitudinal direction A and intended to contain liquefied gas 3 in equilibrium with a gaseous phase. A liquid injection ramp 4 extends into the tank 2 along the longitudinal direction A in the upper part of the tank 2.

[0021] The injection ramp 4 comprises a plurality of liquid outlets spaced along the longitudinal direction A. More specifically, the injection ramp 4 comprises a porous portion for diffusing the liquid into the reservoir 2, the porous surface having a permeability greater than 5 Darcy.

[0022] The porous surface or section may be made of one of the following: stainless steel, bronze, brass, nickel, or cuppro nickel or any other suitable material.

[0023] As illustrated, the device may include several injection ramps 4, each comprising a porous injection portion.

[0024] This structure increases the exchange surface area between the liquid and the gas within the gaseous space. The four injection ramps or bars with a porous injection surface ensure a very uniform flow (e.g., laterally).

[0025] This improves the homogenization of heat exchange.

[0026] In the case of a plurality of ramps 4, these can be supplied by a common collector.

Claims

Demands

1. Cryogenic fluid storage device comprising a reservoir (2) extending along a longitudinal direction (A) and intended to contain liquefied gas (3) in equilibrium with a gaseous phase, a liquid injection ramp (4) into the reservoir (2) extending along the longitudinal direction (A) in the upper part of the reservoir (2), the injection ramp (4) comprising a plurality of liquid outlets spaced along the longitudinal direction (A), characterized in that the injection ramp (4) comprises a porous portion for diffusing the liquid into the reservoir (2), the porous surface having a permeability greater than five Darcy.

2. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises several injection ramps (4) includes a porous portion.