Storage vessel for cryogenic liquids, ship equipped with a corresponding storage vessel and method for storing cryogenic liquids

Abstract

The invention relates to a proposed storage vessel (100) for cryogenic liquid, having a vessel interior (14) in which an extraction area (15) for the liquid is formed and in which an extraction opening (16) for the liquid is arranged. According to the invention, the extraction area (15) is separated from the vessel interior (14) by a shielding wall (18) that is at least partially non-perforated, so that a liquid through-opening (17) is formed. From the separated space, an extraction line can be led out vertically downwards or laterally. The invention also relates to a corresponding vessel (50) and to a corresponding method for storing liquid hydrogen.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage vessel for a cryogenic liquid, to a vessel equipped with a corresponding storage vessel, and to a corresponding method for storing a cryogenic liquid. [Background technology]

[0002] As described in the applicant's WO 2021 / 204419 A1, a storage vessel for liquid hydrogen can have, for example, a cylindrical shape with a tubular base portion and two dome-shaped end cap portions closing the ends of the base portion. In marine applications of such a storage vessel, a movement of liquid hydrogen caused by swells must be anticipated in the storage vessel. If the storage vessel is placed sideways or vertically, sloshing of liquid hydrogen can occur in large areas due to the mass inertia of the liquid hydrogen and the existing curvature in both the base portion and the end cap portion of the storage vessel. This sloshing can result in various disadvantages, which are also explained below.

[0003] From DE 10 2012 207 575 A1 a method for supplying a pump with a cryogenic liquid as well as an apparatus and a container for carrying out the method are known. In order to achieve a reliable supply to the pump, the container is pressurized, which improves the withdrawal.

[0004] The propellant tank proposed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 072436(A1) includes a tank body that accumulates liquid propellant therein, and a holding container that is provided within the tank body and arranged with a predetermined gap between it and the inner wall of the tank body, and is capable of holding the propellant in a liquid state inside the tank body when the inside of the tank body is in a state of low gravity.

[0005] From US Patent No. 5,901,557(A) a vessel for storing a cryogenic fluid is known, which vessel has a passive thermodynamic venting system for effectively transferring heat in a low gravity environment. The storage vessel is compartmentalized using a screen trap such that a heat exchanger of the venting system extends through a chamber containing only the liquid phase of the cryogenic fluid. The screen gallery, the screen trap and the vane assembly cooperate to separate the gas and liquid phases of the cryogenic fluid. The thermodynamic venting system comprises a throttling device for reducing the temperature of the cryogenic fluid.

[0006] US Patent No. 3,933,448 (A) discloses a surface tension device for use in a liquid capture reservoir. The surface tension device comprises a porous membrane that maintains a separation between the gas and the liquid and thereby isolates accumulated gas from the captured liquid, which is then delivered free of entrained gas, and a porous baffle that is held away from the container wall and establishes a liquid capture chamber separated from the liquid storage chamber, in which pure liquid is captured and subsequently withdrawn through the opening. The baffle features a ski shape. As a result of the ski shape, it is possible to ensure substantially complete capture of the available liquid from the reservoir.

[0007] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to improve the storage of cryogenic liquids, such as liquid hydrogen, in particular on board ships. DISCLOSURE OF THEINVENTION

[0008] Against this background, a storage vessel for a cryogenic liquid, a vessel equipped with a corresponding storage vessel and a corresponding method for storing a cryogenic liquid are proposed.Embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0009] The storage container for cryogenic liquid proposed according to the invention comprises a container interior from which an extraction area for the liquid is separated. An extraction opening for the liquid is formed in the extraction area. According to the invention, the extraction area is separated from the container interior by a shielding wall, so that the liquid through opening is kept free and the shielding wall is at least partially non-perforated.

[0010] The non-perforated and therefore fluid-tight design of the shielding wall can be achieved in particular by providing the shielding wall, as a whole or at least in the corresponding part, in the form of a flat material, in particular a metal sheet of suitable thickness, or by connecting several flat materials, in particular several metal sheets. The connection can be made in particular by welding. The term "partially non-perforated" should be understood in this specification in particular to mean that one or more sub-regions of the shielding wall are not perforated. The shielding wall can be suitably shaped, in particular to increase its stability or by adapting it to the container shape. The shielding wall, at least in the mentioned part, may be non-screen-shaped and / or devoid of any kind of bores, slots, holes or through-openings, all of which should be considered to fall within the term "perforation" in the sense understood in this specification. A "non-screen-shaped" design in the usage of the word understood in this specification should be considered to exist in particular also when the corresponding wall is not designed in the form of a lattice made of woven or connected wire-shaped or rod-shaped materials or with regularly arranged holes. In particular, the barrier wall may be non-perforated and therefore liquid-impermeable over more than 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of its (total) area.

[0011] The present invention differs in particular from disclosures such as DE 10 2012 207 575 A1, US 2018 / 072436 A1, US 5901557 A and US 3933448 A by providing a non-perforated shielding wall, which relate to other technical fields and also necessarily require perforated or screen-shaped elements for the respective proposed solutions. By providing a non-perforated shielding wall, the stability can be increased and, if necessary, the shielding wall can be used as a structural element. Furthermore, the manufacture becomes easier and more cost-effective.

[0012] In an embodiment of the invention, the extraction opening may be an inlet opening of an extraction line leading out either vertically downwards or laterally from the storage vessel inside or outside the extraction region. In another embodiment of the invention, the extraction opening may also be a discharge opening in the vessel wall in the extraction region. Thus, the invention can be used both in the case of horizontally and in the case of vertically arranged storage vessels.

[0013] The invention makes it possible, in particular in corresponding embodiments, to prevent the above-mentioned adverse effects of sloshing, consisting of the fact that in the case of sufficiently large sloshing movements, gas can enter the extraction openings and remain there (so-called entrainment). In this case, a pure liquid extraction of the cryogenic liquid is not possible. The invention overcomes this drawback by simple means. Whereas according to the prior art, provisions such as partitions or baffles in horizontal and / or radial design, for example in the form of a honeycomb structure, are typically provided as such throughout the interior of the corresponding vessels, the invention makes it possible to mitigate the adverse effects by means of simpler technical means.

[0014] Another solution known from the prior art to prevent entrainment is to use an airtight wall that surrounds the extraction opening and has a certain height. However, this has the drawback that a certain liquid level (higher than the height of the wall) is always required in the corresponding container, which therefore cannot be emptied completely. The present invention also overcomes this drawback.

[0015] The term "cryogenic liquid" is understood to mean in particular a liquefied gas having a boiling point (significantly) below -100°C, such as liquefied rare gases, liquefied hydrogen, liquefied oxygen or liquefied methane, or natural gas. The invention is therefore mainly described with reference to liquid hydrogen, but is not limited thereto. However, suitability in particular for liquid hydrogen is evident from the fact that it is possible to obtain a cryogenic liquid having a boiling point (significantly) below -100°C, such as liquefied rare gases, liquefied hydrogen, liquefied oxygen or liquefied methane, or natural gas. 3 Compared to about 70 kg / m 3 This is due to its low density, which makes liquid hydrogen particularly easy to move.

[0016] Overall, the invention prevents gas entrainment by liquid extraction and allows optimized use of the entire interior of the corresponding storage vessel. Compared to the installations known from the prior art, the solutions provided according to the embodiments of the invention are more space-saving and lighter. Only local two-phase states have to be avoided, which may lead to disadvantages in downstream method steps or equipment. As mentioned above, non-perforated walls offer advantages in terms of production, stability and costs.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the storage vessel has a cylindrical section, and the shielding wall is provided on at least a part of the cylindrical section. In this case, the extraction area can be separated from the vessel interior as a cylindrical segment by the shielding wall. The shielding wall can contact the cylindrical section on two parallel sides. On these sides, the shielding wall can be in particular flat, but also dome-shaped and in particular connected, in particular welded, to the wall of the cylindrical section. In this way, it can be ensured that the liquid in the area separated by the shielding wall, i.e. in the corresponding cylindrical segment, does not "rock together" with the rest of the liquid in the vessel. This keeps the separated area filled with liquid so that gas cannot enter the extraction opening. By suitable welding and selection of the thickness of the shielding wall, the shielding wall can also form a structural or reinforcing element of the storage vessel as a whole.

[0018] In a corresponding embodiment, the outlet opening or the extraction opening is provided in the extraction area, and if the extraction area is in the form of a cylindrical segment, the outlet opening or the extraction opening can be provided in particular in the region of the apex line of the cylindrical segment. Here, when referring to the arrangement of the outlet opening "in the region of the apex line of the cylindrical segment", this should be understood to mean that the outlet opening does not have to be arranged on or directly at the apex line, but can also be offset from the apex line in certain regions. In any case, however, the outlet opening is arranged inside the separated cylindrical segment.

[0019] The separation of the cylindrical segments from the cylindrical region of the storage vessel can be provided especially in the case of a horizontal arrangement. In a vertical design, the domed tank bottom can be separated according to the same principle. In both cases, the advantages of the invention arise in substantially the same way.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, in particular when the cylindrical segment is separated from the cylindrical part, the shielding wall is in particular connected to the vessel wall of the storage vessel by a number of mutually parallel fixed walls. In the case of separation of the cylindrical part and the cylindrical segment, the fixed walls are in particular arranged perpendicular to the central axis and can be connected to the vessel wall in the cylindrical segment. The fixed walls can in particular be designed in the manner of partition walls with suitable passages that chamber the extraction area and allow the exchange of liquid between the chambers.

[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, the fixed walls may in particular be in the form of incomplete circular segments, defining chambers arranged in particular one behind the other along the central axis of the extraction area, leaving passages free between the chambers. When separating cylindrical segments in the manner described above, these fixed walls may in particular leave passages free between the chambers, alternating between a first and a second of the two sides arranged parallel to the central axis. Through alternating through openings on both sides, the liquid may distribute itself between the chambers formed, but be generally retained in the extraction area.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, the fixed wall defines an at least partially serpentine interior of the extraction area, the serpentine design of the interior ensuring in a particularly effective manner the retention of liquid in cylindrical segments or extraction areas of different shapes according to the embodiment just described.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the storage vessel is closed at both ends by hemispherical or dome-shaped portions, as is generally known for corresponding tanks, and possible adverse effects of sloshing movements at the corresponding ends can also be reliably prevented in embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, the storage vessel has a double wall designed for vacuum insulation.

[0025] A vessel having a storage vessel such as the one described above in different embodiments is also the subject of the invention. The cylindrical section can be arranged horizontally or vertically. The extraction openings can lead out vertically downwards or to the side. For further features and advantages, explicit reference is made to the above descriptions of the storage vessel and its embodiments, since these descriptions likewise relate to the corresponding vessel.

[0026] The same applies, mutatis mutandis, to a method for storing liquid hydrogen, in which a storage vessel such as the one described above in the embodiments is used, in particular in a corresponding vessel.

[0027] The invention and its embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a marine vessel according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] 1 shows a schematic longitudinal view of a storage container according to an embodiment of the invention; [Figure 2B] 1 shows a schematic longitudinal view of a storage container according to an embodiment of the invention; [Figure 3A] 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3B] In the drawings, components which correspond functionally or structurally to one another are indicated by the same reference signs and are not repeatedly described merely for the sake of clarity, a storage container according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in a schematic perspective view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Figure 1 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a vessel according to one embodiment of the present invention, the vessel being generally indicated at 50. In particular, the vessel 50 may be a seagoing passenger ferry.

[0030] The vessel 50 comprises a buoyant hull 51. Optionally, a bridge 52 is provided in or on the hull 51. The vessel 50 is preferably powered by hydrogen. To this end, the vessel 50 may comprise a fuel cell 53. In this case, the term "fuel cell" is understood to mean a galvanic cell that converts the energy of a chemical reaction between a continuously supplied fuel, in this case hydrogen, and an oxidant, in this case oxygen, into electrical energy. The electrical energy obtained may for example drive an electric motor (not shown), which in turn drives a ship's screw for propelling the vessel 50.

[0031] A storage vessel 100 is provided for storing liquid hydrogen in order to supply hydrogen to the fuel cells 53. The storage vessel 100 is arranged rotationally symmetrical with respect to a central axis or axis of symmetry 54 of the vessel 50. To illustrate the different alternatives, the storage vessel 100 is oriented vertically in FIG. 1 but horizontally in the subsequent figures. The storage vessel 100 can be arranged, for example, inside the hull 51, in particular in the engine room, on the bridge 52 or on the deck of the hull 51, which deck serves as a support structure 55. The axis of symmetry 54 is oriented perpendicularly, in particular to the direction of gravity g. This means that the storage vessel 100 is in a horizontal or sideways position.

[0032] In marine applications, one must anticipate movements of the liquid hydrogen contained in the storage vessel 100 caused by swells. This sloshing leads to the disadvantages mentioned above, and in particular to the entrainment mentioned above.

[0033] In Figures 2A and 2B, a reservoir according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown transparently in longitudinal cross section and generally designated 100, with the longitudinal axis of the reservoir 100 oriented parallel to the plane of the paper and parallel to the writing direction. In the views of Figures 2A and 2B, the reservoir 100 is shown rotated 90° about its longitudinal axis.

[0034] In the embodiment shown, the storage vessel 100 has a double wall formed by an inner wall 11 and an outer wall 12. An intermediate space 13 between the inner wall 11 and the outer wall 12 can for example be evacuated. The double wall surrounds a vessel interior 14 from which an extraction area 15 of the liquid is separated. A liquid extraction opening 16 is arranged in the extraction area 15. In the embodiment shown, the extraction opening 16 is an inlet opening to an extraction line 17 leading out of the storage vessel 100.

[0035] As shown, the extraction area 15 is separated from the container interior by a shielding wall 18 so as to form a liquid through opening. The shielding wall is not perforated. In the specifically illustrated embodiment, the storage container 100 has a cylindrical portion 110, at least in part of which, here in its central region, a shielding wall 18 is provided, thereby separating the cylindrical segment corresponding to the extraction area 15.

[0036] In the embodiment of the invention shown here, the shielding wall 18 contacts the inner wall 11 of the storage vessel with two side surfaces 18a, 18b arranged parallel to the central axis of the cylindrical portion 110 (as shown in FIG. 2A ), here in particular being welded to the inner wall. At the front and rear, the cylindrical segment or extraction area 15 is connected to the remainder of the vessel interior 14 via corresponding connecting openings 19.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2A , the shielding wall 15 is connected to the inner wall 11 of the storage vessel by a number of mutually parallel fixed walls 20, which in the particular embodiment shown are in the form of incomplete circular segments, defining chambers located in the extraction region 15 and leaving passages between the chambers open alternately on a first side and a second side of two sides arranged parallel to the central axis, thus defining an at least partially serpentine interior of the cylindrical segment 5.

[0038] The reservoir is generally closed at both ends by hemispherical or dome shaped portions 120 .

[0039] Figures 3A and 3B show schematic perspective views of a storage container 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the storage container 100 being shown cut transversely in Figure 3A and cut longitudinally in Figure 3B. Please refer to the description of Figures 2A and 2B.

Claims

1. 1. A storage vessel (100) for a cryogenic liquid, comprising a vessel interior (14) in which an extraction area (15) for the liquid is formed and in which an extraction opening (16) for the liquid is arranged, characterized in that the extraction area (15) is separated from the vessel interior (14) by a shielding wall (18) that is at least partially non-perforated so that a liquid through-opening (17) remains free.

2. 2. The storage vessel (100) according to claim 1, wherein the extraction opening (16) is an inlet opening of an extraction line (17) for the liquid, the extraction line (17) being led out either vertically downwards or laterally from the storage vessel (100) inside or outside the extraction area (15).

3. 3. The storage container (100) of claim 2, wherein the extraction opening (16) is a discharge opening from the storage container (100) in the extraction area.

4. 4. A storage container (100) according to claim 1, having a cylindrical portion (110), the shielding wall (15) being provided on at least a portion of the cylindrical portion (1), and the extraction area (15) being separated from the container interior (14) as a cylindrical segment (5) by the shielding wall (15).

5. The storage vessel (100) of claim 14, wherein the shielding wall (18) contacts the cylindrical portion (110) on two parallel sides.

6. 6. The storage vessel (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the shielding wall (18) is connected to the vessel walls (11, 12) of the storage vessel (100) by a plurality of mutually parallel fixing walls (20).

7. 7. The storage vessel (100) of claim 6, wherein said fixed wall (20) is in the form of an incomplete circular segment and defines chambers disposed one behind the other and leaving a passageway open between said chambers.

8. 8. The storage vessel (100) of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the fixed wall (20) defines an at least partially serpentine interior of the extraction area (15).

9. The storage vessel (100) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the storage vessel is closed at both ends by hemispherical or dome-shaped portions (120).

10. 10. The storage container (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, having a double wall (11, 12) designed for vacuum insulation.

11. 11. A ship (50) having a storage vessel (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cylindrical portion (1) of the storage vessel (100) is arranged horizontally or vertically.

12. A method for storing a cryogenic liquid, wherein a storage vessel (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is used, in particular in a vessel (50) according to claim 11.

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