Cryogenic liquid transport device

Abstract

The invention relates to a cryogenic liquid transport device (10), for example, for liquid hydrogen, comprising a controlled atmosphere enclosure (4), a thermally insulated storage tank (1) disposed within the enclosure (4), a liquid transfer line (12) between the tank (1) and the outside, a gas transfer line (18) between the tank (1) and the outside, and an air conditioning system (3) configured to reduce the ambient temperature experienced by the tank (1) within the controlled atmosphere enclosure (4). Abstract figure: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Cryogenic liquid transport device

[0001] The invention relates to a cryogenic liquid transport device, for example liquid hydrogen.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a cryogenic liquid transport device, for example liquid hydrogen, comprising a controlled atmosphere enclosure, a thermally insulated storage tank disposed in the enclosure, a liquid transfer line between the tank and the outside, a gas transfer line between the tank and the outside.

[0003] For transporting hydrogen, the liquefied form is generally preferred for large quantities due to the increase in the density of the molecule in its liquid form.

[0004] Currently, manufacturers use “super-insulated” cryogenic tanks to transport liquid hydrogen by road (semi-trailer) and / or sea, rail.

[0005] These solutions, despite advanced thermal insulation (vacuum insulation, multi-layer insulation), have a limited storage life. This limitation is mainly due to evaporation of the stored liquid hydrogen (if the system is open) and / or a pressure increase in the tank (closed system). Hydrogen releases are generally unacceptable during transport, especially in enclosed spaces (risk of explosion); this constraint severely limits the development of long-term storage solutions.

[0006] The present invention describes a means of operating a liquid hydrogen storage system comprising a system for reducing external natural thermal inputs in order to suppress hydrogen releases and allow long-term storage of liquid hydrogen without risk of explosion.

[0007] One object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the disadvantages of the prior art noted above.

[0008] To this end, the device according to the invention, which also conforms to the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that it comprises an air conditioning system configured to reduce the ambient temperature perceived by the tank in the controlled air enclosure.

[0009] The advantage of this device is to reduce natural thermal inputs into the storage by regulating the temperature of the air surrounding the tank (air conditioning).

[0010] The invention can also make it possible to eliminate this constraint of hydrogen release by regularly consuming the quantity of hydrogen naturally evaporated inside the storage, for example by powering a refrigeration machine.

[0011] Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following features: - an atmospheric dehumidification system within the enclosure and a forced ventilation system within the enclosure, - The enclosure includes a layer of thermal insulation, for example foam or insulating panels, configured to prevent or limit air condensation, - a gas withdrawal line in the upper part of the tank comprising a regulating valve and a heating element, - the gas withdrawal line is connected to a fuel cell of the device, - an electrical energy storage system powered by the fuel cell via a device control system, - The device provides atmospheric cooling using vapors naturally heated in the storage tank to power a fuel cell connected to an air conditioning unit. - A system for extracting vapors from the tank allows for pressure control within the storage system by removing heat generated by natural thermal inputs. - the hydrogen vapors are consumed by a fuel cell connected to an air refrigeration unit, - the storage is of the double-jacket type, the first containing the stored fluid at cryogenic temperature and the second allowing a vacuum to be drawn between the two jackets with the use of thermal insulation (for example of the "MLI" type), - The device controls the air temperature around the cryogenic storage (around the vacuum envelope) by using an air conditioning unit, - the device comprising, within the enclosure, possibly insulated, an air circulation system and a dehumidifier, - the device controls the flow rate and temperature of hydrogen intake to the fuel cell by means of a heater on the vapor extraction line and a regulating valve.

[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 view illustrating an example of the structure and operation of the invention. Detailed description

[0016] In all figures, the same references refer to the same elements.

[0017] In this detailed description, the following are examples. The fact that the description refers to one or more embodiments 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.

[0018] The cryogenic liquid transport device 10 (for example, liquid hydrogen) includes a controlled atmosphere enclosure 4 and a thermally insulated storage tank 1 disposed in the enclosure 4.

[0019] The device 10 includes a liquid transfer line 12 between the tank 1 and the outside, and a gas transfer line 18 between the tank 1 and the outside.

[0020] The device includes an air conditioning system 3 configured to reduce the ambient temperature perceived by the tank 1 in the enclosure 4.

[0021] The enclosure 4 includes, for example, a dehumidification system 11 and a forced ventilation system 8 powered by an electrical network controlled by a PLC 16.

[0022] The enclosure 4 may include a layer of insulation such as foam or insulating panels to prevent air condensation depending on the application.

[0023] A gas withdrawal line 2 in the gaseous headspace of the tank 1 includes a regulating valve 6 and a heating element 7. This line allows a fuel cell 14 to be supplied with gaseous hydrogen heated to the operating temperature of the fuel cell 14.

[0024] The fuel cell 14 is supplied with hydrogen via line 2, 5 and with oxygen via a source 13, with an exhaust 15 for the gases and remaining water. The fuel cell 14 can be made up of all the usual utilities (condenser, compressor, etc.).

[0025] The device preferably includes an electrical energy storage system 17 which is powered by the battery 14 via a control system 16 (e.g., a microprocessor-based electronic controller).

[0026] The automaton 16 allows the pressure in the tank 1 to be regulated via the consumption of hydrogen via the regulating valve 6 and the charge of the fuel cell 14.

[0027] Safety elements (type valve 19) are provided to prevent local overpressures in the lines.

[0028] The device can power other electrical equipment such as sensors and means of communication.

[0029] An air dehumidification system 11, a drain 20 and a water tank 21 also recovering water from the fuel cell may be provided.

[0030] Device 10 has many advantages: - eliminate the constraint of hydrogen release by regularly consuming the amount of hydrogen naturally evaporated inside the tank (safety and logistical gains), - reduce natural heat inputs into the tank by regulating the temperature of the air surrounding the tank (air conditioning), and therefore the quantity of molecules not recovered during transport (especially over long distances), - be easily integrated onto conventionally designed cryogenic tanks (ISO container for example).

Claims

Demands

1. Cryogenic liquid transport device (10), for example liquid hydrogen, comprising a controlled atmosphere enclosure (4), a thermally insulated storage tank (1) disposed in the enclosure (4), a liquid transfer line (12) between the tank (1) and the outside, a gas transfer line (18) between the tank (1) and the outside, an air conditioning system (3) configured to reduce the ambient temperature perceived by the tank (1) in the controlled air enclosure (4).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a dehumidification system (11) of the atmosphere in the enclosure (4) and a forced ventilation system (8) in the enclosure (4).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the enclosure (4) comprises a layer of thermal insulation, for example foam or insulating panels configured to prevent or limit air condensation.

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a gas withdrawal line (2) in the upper part of the tank comprising a regulating valve (6) and a heating element (7).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the gas withdrawal line (2) is connected to a fuel cell (14) of the device.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises an electrical energy storage system (17) powered by the fuel cell (14) via a device control system (16).

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