Container for storing a cryogenic fluid

Abstract

A container (1) for storing a cryogenic fluid, comprising an inner tank (2) delimiting a housing (3) intended to contain the cryogenic fluid, and an outer tank (4) arranged around the inner tank (2), the inner tank (2) and the outer tank (3) delimiting between them a thermally insulated space (5), preferably under vacuum, the container (1) being delimited in a main direction (X) by a first side (6) and a second side (7), at least one of the two sides (6, 7) comprising a connection system (8, 9) fixing the inner tank (2) inside the outer tank (4), the connection system (8, 9) comprising, in the main direction (X), a neck (81, 91) secured to the inner tank (2) and a pin (82, 92) secured to the outer tank (4), characterized in that the neck (81, 91) and the pin (82, 92) are fitted one inside the other.

Description

Container for storing cryogenic fluid.

[0001] The invention relates to a container for storing a cryogenic fluid. This may be hydrogen.

[0002] A container for storing a cryogenic fluid generally comprises an inner tank having a housing for containing the cryogenic fluid and an outer tank disposed around the inner tank. In particular, the inner tank and the outer tank define a thermally insulated space, preferably under vacuum.

[0003] The container is delimited along a main direction by a first side and a second side. At least one of the sides is provided with a connecting member which extends in the main direction of the container and connects the inner tank and the outer tank. The connecting member comprises a neck fixed to the inner tank and a pin fixed to the outer tank.

[0004] In a container as described above, the neck comprises a plurality of tubular portions arranged one inside the other and connected at their respective ends so as to form an accordion-shaped wall (i.e., a wall comprising several corrugations when the container is observed in a longitudinal sectional view).

[0005] Although such an accordion wall allows for a relatively long neck without significantly increasing the container's footprint, it causes significant vibrations in the inner tank.

[0006] Furthermore, in a tank as described above, the assembly between the neck of the inner tank and the pin of the outer tank poses several technical difficulties. Indeed, the complex shape of the neck requires a specific design of the pin.

[0007] An object of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks listed above and to develop a container that is robust while allowing differential expansion of the outer tank (at room temperature) and differential contraction of the inner tank (at cryogenic temperature). Another object of the invention is to further limit the heat exchange by radiation and / or conduction between the inner tank and its external environment (including the outer tank).

[0008] For this purpose, according to a first aspect of the invention, the neck and the pin are fitted into each other. Such an arrangement facilitates assembly between the inner tank and the outer tank.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the invention in combination or not with the first aspect, each connection system comprises an anti-radiation screen configured to limit an exchange of heat by radiation between the outer tank and the inner tank.

[0010] Embodiments of the invention according to any of the above aspects may comprise one or more of the following features:- the connecting system located on the first side of the container comprises a neck and a pin mounted in relative sliding relative to each other making it possible to compensate for a relative contraction or expansion of the inner tank relative to the outer tank along the main direction of the container;- the connecting system located on the second side comprises a neck and a pin assembled rigidly relative to each other;- the inner tank and the outer tank each comprise a cylindrical body, as well as a first bottom and a second bottom fixed on either side of the cylindrical body;- the neck is fixed to the inner tank by means of a support;- the support extends from one of the bottoms of the inner tank and has a free end arranged in the housing;- the neck extends from the free end of the support towards the bottom;- the inner tank and / or the outer tank are made of a material chosen from steel or an aluminium alloy;- each support is made of the material of the inner tank;- the neck is made of titanium alloy;- the anti-radiation screen comprises a coating arranged on a side wall of the neck;- the anti-radiation screen comprises a set of discs arranged inside the neck;- the pin has at least one opening intended for the passage of a pipe towards the housing of the container.;

[0011] Other features and advantages will appear on reading the description below, made with reference to the following figures in which:

[0012] is a sectional view illustrating a container according to the invention.

[0013] illustrates in detail an area of ​​the container of the.

[0014] The invention relates to a container for storing a cryogenic fluid.

[0015] The container 1 comprises an inner tank 2 having a housing 3 intended to contain the cryogenic fluid, and an outer tank 4 in which the inner tank 2 is arranged.

[0016] The inner tank 2 and the outer tank 4 delimit a thermal insulation space 5, for example under vacuum, intended to thermally insulate the inner tank 2.

[0017] Furthermore, the inner tank 2 and the outer tank 4 extend along a main direction X defined between two opposite edges 6, 7 of the container 1. In the usage configuration, this main direction X may be horizontal, for example.

[0018] Finally, the inner tank 2 and the outer tank 4 each comprise a cylindrical body 21, 41 and two domed bottoms 22a, 22b; 42a, 42b arranged on either side of the cylindrical body 21, 41 along the main direction X of the container 1.

[0019] In order to fix the inner tank 2 in the outer tank 4, the container 1 comprises at least one connecting system 8, 9 arranged at one of the edges 6, 7 of the container 1. The connecting system 8, 9 extends generally along the main direction X of the container 1.

[0020] In the illustrated example, the container 1 comprises two connecting systems 8, 9 arranged respectively at the first edge 6 and at the second edge 7 of the container 1. The two connecting systems 8, 9 are thus arranged opposite each other at the two longitudinal ends. Each connecting system 8, 9 comprises a neck 81, 91 fixed to the inner tank 2 as well as a pin 82, 92 fixed to the outer tank 4.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, one of the neck 81, 91 and the pin 82, 92 of each connecting member 8, 9 is configured to be fitted into the other, thus making it possible to simply fix the inner tank 2 in the outer tank 4.

[0022] At each edge 6, 7 of the container 1, the neck 81, 91 is fixed to the inner tank 2 using a support 83, 93. This support 83, 93 is intended to be in contact with the fluid contained in the housing 3 of the container 1.

[0023] Illustrates the details of the first connecting member 8. The description which follows in relation to this figure remains valid for the second connecting member 9.

[0024] The support 83 has a first end 83a fixed to the inner bottom 22a of the inner tank 2 and a second end 83b located in the housing 3 of the inner tank 2. In particular, the first end 83a is positioned around an opening in the inner bottom 22a. This opening is intended to receive the pin 82 in the neck 81.

[0025] The neck 81 extends from the second end 83b of the support 83 towards the inner bottom 22a of the inner tank 2. Here, the neck 81 is fixed to the support 83 using screws. In a variant not shown, the neck 81 may be provided with a thread intended to cooperate with a thread of the support 83.

[0026] The neck 81 and the support 83 define a wall arranged in a round-trip fashion, that is to say a U-shaped wall according to a longitudinal sectional view of the container 1. This arrangement of the neck 81 and the support 83 makes it possible to limit the heat exchange by conduction between the outer tank 4 and the inner tank 2. Indeed, the thermal path between the outer tank 4 and the inner tank 2 passes from the outside to the inside via the wall of the neck 81 and then from the inside to the outside via the wall of the support 83.

[0027] Advantageously, the neck 81 is chosen from a material having low thermal conductivity compared to the material of the support 83. The neck 81 can be made for example from a titanium alloy. The support 83 can be made from steel, aluminum alloy or any other material.

[0028] However, when the support 83 is made from a material incompatible with the fluid intended to be stored in the housing 3 of the container 1, it can be provided with an external envelope compatible with the fluid.

[0029] In the case of a container 1 intended to store hydrogen, the casing of the support 83 can be made of aluminum alloy.

[0030] According to a second aspect of the invention, the connection system 8 comprises an anti-radiation screen 84 intended to limit the heat exchange by radiation between the external tank 4 and the internal tank 2.

[0031] Advantageously, the anti-radiation screen 84 comprises a coating arranged on the side wall of the neck 81. Alternatively or additionally, the anti-radiation screen 84 comprises a set of anti-radiation discs 84a arranged inside the neck 81.

[0032] The discs 84a are carried by a rod 84b fixed to the pin 82.

[0033] According to a third aspect of the invention, the neck 81 and the pin 82 of the first connecting system 8 are mounted in relative sliding, thus allowing differential contraction or expansion of one reservoir 2, 4 relative to another. The neck 82 and the pin 92 of the second connecting system 9 are immobile relative to each other.

[0034] Advantageously, the pin 92 of the second connection system 9 has at least one opening intended for the passage of a pipe for drawing off and / or supplying the container 1. This pipe passes through the neck 92 to open into the housing 3 of the container 1.

Claims

Container (1) for storing a cryogenic fluid, comprising an inner tank (2) delimiting a housing (3) intended to contain the cryogenic fluid, and an outer tank (4) arranged around the inner tank (2), the inner tank (2) and the outer tank (3) delimiting between them a thermally insulated space (5), preferably under vacuum, the container (1) being delimited in a main direction (X) by a first side (6) and a second side (7), at least one of the two sides (6, 7) comprising a connecting system (8, 9) fixing the inner tank (2) to the inside of the outer tank (4), the connecting system (8, 9) comprising in the main direction (X) a neck (81, 91) secured to the inner tank (2) and a pin (82, 92) secured to the outer tank (4), the neck (81, 91) and the pin (82, 92) being fitted one into the other, characterized in that the connecting system (8,9) comprises a radiation shield (84) configured to limit heat exchange by radiation between the outer tank (4) and the inner tank (2)., Container (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the connecting system (8, 9) located on the first side (6) of the container (1) comprises a neck (81) and a pin (82) mounted to slide relative to each other, making it possible to compensate for a contraction or relative expansion of the inner tank (2) relative to the outer tank (4) along the main direction (X) of the container (1). Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting system (8, 9) located on the second side (7) comprises a neck (91) and a pin (92) which are immobile relative to each other. Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner tank (2) and the outer tank (4) each comprise a cylindrical body (21, 41), as well as a first bottom (22a, 42a) and a second bottom (22b, 42b) fixed on either side of the cylindrical body (21, 41). Container (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the neck (81, 91) is fixed to the inner tank (2) by means of a support (83, 93), the support (83, 93) extending from one of the bottoms (22a, 22b) of the inner tank (2) and having a free end (83b) arranged in the housing (3), the neck (81, 91) extending from the free end (83b) of the support (83, 93) towards the bottom (22a, 22b). Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner tank (2) and / or the outer tank (4) are made of a material chosen from steel or an aluminum alloy. Container (1) according to the preceding claim taken in its connection with claim 5, characterized in that the support (83, 93) is made of the material of the inner tank (2), the neck (81, 91) being made of titanium alloy. Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two connecting systems (8, 9) arranged respectively at the first side (6) and at the second side (7) of the container (1), the two connecting systems (8, 9) being thus arranged opposite the two sides (6, 7) of the container (1), each connecting system (8, 9) comprising a neck (81, 91) fixed to the inner tank (2) as well as a pin (82, 92) fixed to the outer tank (4) each connecting system (8, 9) further comprising an anti-radiation screen (84) configured to limit a heat exchange by radiation between the outer tank (4) and the inner tank (2). Container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anti-radiation screen (84) comprises a coating arranged on a side wall of the neck (81, 91). Container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the anti-radiation screen (84) comprises a set of discs (84a) arranged inside the neck (81, 91). Container (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the pin (82, 92) has at least one opening intended for the passage of a pipe towards the housing (3) of the container (1).

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