Cryogenic storage tank equipped with an external evaporative cooling blocking device that can simultaneously evaporate liquefied gas and insulate the cryogenic tank

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cryogenic storage tank equipped with an external evaporative cooling blocking device capable of simultaneously vaporizing liquefied gas and insulating the cryogenic tank, thereby ensuring thermal insulation performance and replacing a heat exchanger. A cryogenic storage tank equipped with an external evaporative cooling blocking device capable of simultaneously vaporizing liquefied gas and insulating the cryogenic tank according to one embodiment of the present invention may include: an inner tank for storing a cryogenic fluid and having one or more transfer pipes on one side for transferring the cryogenic fluid; an outer tank that surrounds the inner tank; a vacuum insulation layer for forming a vacuum space between the inner tank and the outer tank; and an evaporative cooling blocking device installed on the outer wall of the outer tank, which transfers radiant heat to the cryogenic fluid introduced through the transfer pipe to raise the temperature of the cryogenic fluid to room temperature.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cryogenic storage tank equipped with an external evaporative cooling blocking device capable of simultaneously vaporizing liquefied gas and insulating the cryogenic tank, and more specifically, to a cryogenic storage tank equipped with an external evaporative cooling blocking device capable of simultaneously vaporizing liquefied gas and insulating the cryogenic tank, which can replace a heat exchanger while securing insulation performance. Background Technology

[0002] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of a conventional liquid hydrogen fuel tank for ships.

[0003] Referring to FIG. 1, Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2623433 (Title of Invention: Liquefied Hydrogen Fuel Tank for Ships, Connection Support System Used Therein, Efficiency-Enhanced Baffle Plate and Steam Cooling Barrier for Improved Thermal Insulation Performance), which is a prior art document for cryogenic storage tanks, relates to a liquefied hydrogen fuel tank for ships, a connection support system used therein, an efficiency-enhanced baffle plate and a steam cooling barrier for improved thermal insulation performance, which can improve the storage efficiency and safety of cryogenic fluid stored inside by minimizing the generation of evaporated gas and heat loss by improving thermal insulation performance.

[0004] As shown in FIG. 1, the above prior art describes that the space between the inner tank (110) and the steam cooling barrier (120) and the space between the outer tank (150) and the steam cooling barrier (120) are each in a vacuum state, and each vacuum space can more efficiently block heat transfer.

[0005] However, the steam cooling barrier (120) placed between the inner tank (110) and the outer tank (150) in the above prior art has the purpose of improving the thermal insulation performance of the inner tank (110) and the outer tank (150), but has the problem that the refrigerant can only be supplied to the outside without the temperature of the refrigerant rising significantly due to the vacuum space. Prior art literature

[0006] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2623433 (Registered on January 5, 2024) The problem to be solved

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the objective of the present invention is to provide a cryogenic storage tank equipped with an external vapor-cooled shield that enables simultaneous vaporization of liquefied gas and insulation of the cryogenic tank, wherein a vapor-cooled shield (VCS) is installed on the outer wall of the outer tank surrounding the inner tank to primarily reduce the heat penetrating into the outer wall of the outer tank, and secondarily, the amount of heat transferred can be significantly reduced through insulation by the vacuum insulation layer and multi-layer insulation (MLI) between the inner tank and the outer tank.

[0008] In addition, the objective of the present invention is to provide a cryogenic storage tank equipped with an external evaporative cooling blocking device that enables simultaneous vaporization of liquefied gas and insulation of the cryogenic tank, thereby eliminating the need for a separate vaporizer in the cryogenic storage tank composed of an inner tank and an outer tank, by causing active heat transfer between the external air and internal air of the evaporative cooling blocking device with respect to the outer wall of the evaporative cooling blocking device so that the cryogenic fluid is heated to room temperature.

[0009] The objective of the present invention is to provide a cryogenic storage tank equipped with an external evaporative cooling blocking device that enables simultaneous vaporization of liquefied gas and insulation of the cryogenic tank, thereby replacing a heat exchanger, while simultaneously ensuring insulation performance by reducing radiant heat in the vacuum insulation layer and conductive heat transfer transmitted through the transfer pipe.

[0010] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0011] As a technical means for achieving the above objectives, a cryogenic storage tank equipped with an external evaporative cooling blocking device capable of simultaneously vaporizing liquefied gas and insulating a cryogenic tank according to one embodiment of the present invention may include: an inner tank for storing a cryogenic fluid and having one or more transfer pipes on one side for transferring the cryogenic fluid; an outer tank that surrounds the inner tank; a vacuum insulation layer for forming a vacuum space between the inner tank and the outer tank; and an evaporative cooling blocking device installed on the outer wall of the outer tank, which transfers radiant heat to the cryogenic fluid introduced through the transfer pipe to raise the temperature of the cryogenic fluid to room temperature.

[0012] In addition, the above cryogenic fluid may be liquid hydrogen for generating vaporized hydrogen to be supplied to a fuel cell.

[0013] In addition, the above evaporative cooling blocking device may be provided with one or more room temperature gas outlet pipes on one side for discharging room temperature gas, which is a cryogenic fluid heated to room temperature, to the outside in order to supply it to the fuel cell.

[0014] In addition, the above-mentioned evaporative cooling blocking device may be configured in the form of a plate capable of allowing the inflow of cryogenic fluid introduced through the transfer pipe.

[0015] And the above evaporative cooling blocking device may be configured in the form of a plurality of pipes to form a plurality of flow paths for the cryogenic fluid introduced through the transfer pipe. Effects of the invention

[0016] The present invention can primarily reduce the heat penetrating into the outer wall of the outer tank by using a vapor-cooled shield (VCS), and secondarily significantly reduce the amount of heat transferred through insulation by a vacuum insulation layer and a multi-layer insulation (MLI) between the inner tank and the outer tank.

[0017] In addition, the present invention enables active heat transfer between the external and internal air of the evaporative cooling blocking device with respect to the outer wall of the evaporative cooling blocking device, thereby causing the cryogenic fluid to be heated to room temperature. Since there is no need to provide a separate vaporizer in the cryogenic storage tank composed of an inner tank and an outer tank, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing and operating costs of the cryogenic storage tank.

[0018] Furthermore, the present invention can replace a heat exchanger while ensuring thermal insulation performance by reducing radiant heat from the vacuum insulation layer and conductive heat transfer transmitted through the transfer pipe through an evaporative cooling blocking device.

[0019] In addition, the present invention can improve the thermal insulation performance of an inner tank storing a cryogenic fluid during use by blocking external heat from being transferred from the inner tank side when the cryogenic fluid discharged from the inner tank vaporizes and passes along the transfer pipe simultaneously with the vaporization of the cryogenic fluid.

[0020] However, the effects obtainable from the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of a conventional liquid hydrogen fuel tank for ships. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cryogenic storage tank to which an external evaporative cooling blocking device capable of simultaneously vaporizing liquefied gas and insulating the cryogenic tank is applied according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining an evaporative cooling blocking device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, since the description of the present invention is merely an example for structural or functional explanation, the scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by the embodiments described in the text. That is, since the embodiments are subject to various modifications and may take various forms, the scope of the present invention should be understood to include equivalents capable of realizing the technical concept. Furthermore, the objectives or effects presented in the present invention do not imply that a specific embodiment must include all of them or only such effects; therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be understood as being limited by them.

[0023] The meaning of the terms described in this invention should be understood as follows.

[0024] Terms such as "first" and "second" are intended to distinguish one component from another, and the scope of rights shall not be limited by these terms. For example, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component. When a component is referred to as being "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected to that other component, or that there may be other components in between. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between. Meanwhile, other expressions describing the relationship between components, such as "between" and "exactly between," or "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to," shall be interpreted in the same manner.

[0025] A singular expression should be understood to include a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, and terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to specify the existence of the set-up features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof, and should be understood not to preclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with the context of the relevant technology and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless explicitly defined in this invention.

[0028] Cryogenic storage tank equipped with an external evaporative cooling blocking device capable of simultaneous vaporization of liquefied gas and insulation of the cryogenic tank

[0029] 1) First embodiment

[0030] Hereinafter, the configuration of a preferred embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a cryogenic storage tank to which an external evaporative cooling blocking device capable of simultaneously vaporizing liquefied gas and insulating the cryogenic tank is applied according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, a cryogenic storage tank (10) with an external evaporative cooling blocking device capable of simultaneously vaporizing liquefied gas and insulating a cryogenic tank according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an inner tank (11), an outer tank (12), a vacuum insulation layer (13), and an evaporative cooling blocking device (14).

[0033] In one embodiment, the inner tank (11) is a tank for storing cryogenic fluid, and as shown in FIG. 2, one or more transfer pipes (11a) for discharging cryogenic fluid toward the evaporative cooling blocking device (14) may be provided on one side.

[0034] In one embodiment, it is preferable that the transfer pipe (11a) connects the inner tank (11) and the evaporative cooling blocking device (14) in order to transfer the cryogenic fluid stored in the inner tank (11) to the evaporative cooling blocking device (14).

[0035] In addition, the transfer pipe (11a) is preferably provided on one side of the inner tank (11) in a manner that penetrates the vacuum insulation layer (13) in a vertical direction based on the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 in order to connect the inner tank (11) and the evaporative cooling blocking device (14).

[0036] At this time, the vertical direction in which the transfer pipe (11a) penetrates the vacuum insulation layer (13) means the direction that crosses the horizontal direction in which the vacuum insulation layer (13) is extended based on the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2.

[0037] And the transfer pipe (11a) may be equipped with a valve (not shown) for controlling the discharge of cryogenic fluid.

[0038] In one embodiment, the valve (not shown) can block the transfer of cryogenic fluid so that the cryogenic fluid does not flow into the evaporative cooling blocking device (14) when the cryogenic fluid discharge to the evaporative cooling blocking device (14) is not proceeding.

[0039] In addition, the valve (not shown) can also structurally insulate against heat intrusion into the inner tank (11) through the transfer pipe (11a).

[0040] In one embodiment, the cryogenic fluid stored in the inner tank (11) may be cryogenic liquid hydrogen as shown in FIG. 2, and the cryogenic range may be -273.15℃ to -100℃ (0K to 173.15K).

[0041] Additionally, the liquid hydrogen, which is a cryogenic fluid stored in the inner tank (11), may be liquid hydrogen for generating vaporized hydrogen to be supplied to a fuel cell (not shown) for a railway vehicle not shown in the drawing.

[0042] In one embodiment, the outer tank (12) is a tank in which the inner tank (11) and the vacuum insulation layer (13) are located on the inside, and an evaporative cooling blocking device (14) may be placed on the outside.

[0043] In one embodiment, the vacuum insulation layer (13) can secure insulation performance as a layer for configuring the space between the inner tank (11) and the outer tank (12) as a vacuum state.

[0044] In one embodiment, the cryogenic storage tank (10) may be a double vacuum insulation tank having an inner tank (11), an outer tank (12), and a vacuum insulation layer (13) inside an evaporative cooling blocking device (14).

[0045] In one embodiment, the evaporative cooling blocking device (14) may be installed on the outer wall of the outer tank (12) in the form of a thin plate having a flow path, and cryogenic fluid transferred from the transfer pipe (11a) of the inner tank (11) may be introduced.

[0046] In addition, the evaporative cooling blocking device (14) is installed on the outer wall of the outer tank (12) in a manner that surrounds the outside of the outer tank (12), thereby receiving external heat (radiant heat). By transferring the heat received in this way to the cryogenic fluid introduced into the interior through the transfer pipe (11a), the cryogenic fluid, liquid hydrogen, can be raised to room temperature.

[0047] And the evaporative cooling blocking device (14) needs to discharge the ambient temperature gas, which is a heated cryogenic fluid, to the outside in order to supply it to the fuel cell (not shown). To this end, as shown in FIG. 2, one or more ambient temperature gas outlet pipes (14a) for discharging the ambient temperature gas to the outside may be provided on one side.

[0048] In one embodiment, the ambient temperature gas is discharged to the outside through the ambient temperature gas outlet pipe (14a) and then receives heat, so that it can be supplied directly to a fuel cell (not shown) or transformed into a form of vaporized hydrogen that can be supplied to the fuel cell (not shown).

[0049] Meanwhile, the evaporative cooling blocking device (14) of one embodiment can block radiant heat that causes the cryogenic fluid to rise to room temperature from being transferred to the inner tank (11), thereby improving the thermal insulation performance of the inner tank (11) that stores the cryogenic fluid when used in the cryogenic storage tank (10).

[0050] That is, the evaporative cooling blocking device (14) of one embodiment is installed in a manner that surrounds the inner tank (11) storing the cryogenic fluid, thereby reducing radiant heat from the vacuum insulation layer (13) and conductive heat transfer transmitted through the transfer pipe (11a), which increases the insulation performance of the inner tank (11) and can replace a heat exchanger that causes the cryogenic fluid to vaporize through radiant heat.

[0051] In addition, the evaporative cooling blocking device (14) of one embodiment can increase the transfer speed of the ambient temperature gas to be greater than the transfer speed when the cryogenic fluid is discharged from the inner tank (11) when the cryogenic fluid is replaced by a heat exchanger to vaporize the cryogenic fluid into ambient temperature gas through radiant heat.

[0052] This is because the transport speed increases as the density of the fluid decreases when the cryogenic fluid vaporizes into a room-temperature gas.

[0054] 2) Second embodiment

[0055] Below, we will describe in detail another embodiment of a cryogenic storage tank (10) to which an external evaporative cooling blocking device capable of simultaneously vaporizing the liquefied gas of one embodiment and insulating the cryogenic tank is applied. For convenience, we will omit the description of the inner tank (11), outer tank (12), and vacuum insulation layer (13) configured in the same way as the above embodiment.

[0056] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining an evaporative cooling blocking device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] In another embodiment, the evaporative cooling blocking device (14') can be modified into a plurality of pipes (140), unlike the evaporative cooling blocking device (14) of one embodiment which was in the form of a thin plate having a flow path for transporting cryogenic fluid, and each pipe can receive and transport cryogenic fluid (liquid hydrogen) discharged from the transport pipe (11a).

[0058] That is, the evaporative cooling blocking device (14') forms multiple flow paths for the cryogenic fluid, and while the cryogenic fluid moves along the multiple flow paths provided by the multiple pipes (140), it can be heated to room temperature due to the radiant heat received by the evaporative cooling blocking device (14') and converted into room temperature gas.

[0059] In another embodiment, the plurality of tubes (140) may form a plurality of flow paths for transporting cryogenic fluid as shown in FIG. 3, such as first to fifth flow paths (140a to 140e), but are not limited thereto, and preferably, the plurality of tubes (140) may be designed so that the number of tubes and the number of flow paths are the same.

[0060] In a cryogenic storage tank (10) to which an evaporative cooling blocking device (14') of another embodiment is applied, the cryogenic fluid stored in the inner tank (11) may not be heated to room temperature during the heat exchange process of the evaporative cooling blocking device (14') depending on the flow rate, type, and path of the moving evaporative cooling blocking device (14'). To prevent this, a small buffer vaporizer (not shown in the drawing) may be installed.

[0061] In another embodiment, the buffer vaporizer (not shown) is a device in which the evaporative cooling blocking device (14') performs the role of a vaporizer that converts liquid hydrogen, which is a cryogenic fluid, into a room temperature gas. Since it can partially replace the role of the vaporizer (not shown) based on the case where the vaporizer (not shown) is provided in the cryogenic storage tank (10), there is an economic advantage that enables a reduction in the volume of the vaporizer (not shown).

[0063] 3) Third embodiment

[0064] Below, we will describe in detail a modified example of a cryogenic storage tank (10) to which an external evaporative cooling blocking device capable of simultaneously vaporizing the liquefied gas of another embodiment and insulating the cryogenic tank is applied, and for convenience, we will omit the description of parts identical to those of the other embodiment.

[0065] In a modified example, the evaporative cooling blocking device (14') is not shown in the drawing, but a plurality of tubes (140) can be implemented in a vertical or horizontal coil shape or a spiral coil shape.

[0066] In this case, if multiple tubes (140) are implemented in a vertical or horizontal coil shape, compared to the shape of a simple tube, the cryogenic fluid can be guided to be transported linearly toward the ambient temperature gas outlet tube (14a), and the vaporization of liquid hydrogen can be easily induced by absorbing radiant heat through an increase in surface area.

[0067] In contrast, if multiple tubes (140) are implemented in a spiral coil shape, compared to the shape of a simple tube, they can be induced to rotate and transport toward the ambient temperature gas outlet tube (14a) of the cryogenic fluid, and the turbulent flow can be promoted to maximize the area for transferring radiant heat.

[0068] Of these vertical or horizontal coil types and spiral coil types, the vertical or horizontal coil types have advantages in terms of installation and maintenance, while the spiral coil type has advantages in increasing the radiant heat transfer and transport speed to the cryogenic fluid.

[0070] As described above, the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention disclosed is provided to enable those skilled in the art to implement and practice the present invention. Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, those skilled in the art may utilize each configuration described in the embodiments described above in combination with one another. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but to be given the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0071] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the technical spirit and essential features of the invention. Accordingly, the above detailed description should not be interpreted restrictively in all respects but should be considered exemplary. The scope of the invention shall be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the invention are included within the scope of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but to be given the broadest possible scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. Furthermore, embodiments may be constructed by combining claims that are not explicitly related in the claims, or included as new claims through amendments made after filing. Explanation of the symbols

[0072] 10: Cryogenic storage tank, 11: Inner tank, 11a: Transfer pipe, 12: External tank, 13: Vacuum insulation layer, 14, 14': Evaporative cooling blocking device, 14a: Room temperature gas outlet pipe, 140: Multiple pipes.

Claims

Claim 1 A cryogenic storage tank equipped with an external evaporative cooling blocking device capable of simultaneously vaporizing liquefied gas and insulating the cryogenic tank, comprising: an inner tank for storing cryogenic fluid and having one or more transfer pipes on one side for transferring said cryogenic fluid; an outer tank in a shape that surrounds said inner tank; a vacuum insulation layer for forming a vacuum space between said inner tank and the outer tank; and an evaporative cooling blocking device installed on the outer wall of said outer tank, which transfers radiant heat to the cryogenic fluid introduced through said transfer pipe to raise said cryogenic fluid to room temperature; wherein the evaporative cooling blocking device is configured in the form of a plate capable of allowing the inflow of said cryogenic fluid introduced through said transfer pipe. Claim 2 A cryogenic storage tank equipped with an external evaporative cooling blocking device capable of simultaneously vaporizing liquefied gas and insulating the cryogenic tank, characterized in that, in claim 1, the cryogenic fluid is liquid hydrogen for generating vaporized hydrogen to be supplied to a fuel cell. Claim 3 A cryogenic storage tank equipped with an external evaporative cooling blocking device capable of simultaneously vaporizing liquefied gas and insulating a cryogenic tank, wherein the evaporative cooling blocking device is characterized by having one or more room temperature gas outlet pipes on one side for discharging room temperature gas, which is a cryogenic fluid heated to room temperature, to the outside in order to supply it to the fuel cell. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete

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