Novel container for co 2 storage and transportation

Abstract

Present invention relates to a container comprising: i) one or more openings serving as vents, ii) one or more openings allowing for filling and emptying of the container, iii) an insulation place onto the walls of the inner surfaces of the container, wherein the said insulation has U-value of about 0.2 W / m2K or less, such as e.g. about 0.1 or less, and measured under standard conditions (20 °C at 1 atm), and wherein further at least one opening in i) is a two-way safety valve.

Description

[0001] Title: Novel container for CO2 storage and transportation

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Present invention relates to a novel container / semitrailer / trailer for storage and / or transportation of so-called dry ice and consequently CO2 in primarily solid form. Present invention also relates to use of a container / semitrailer / trailer for storage and / or transportation of so-called dry ice and consequently CO2 in primarily solid form.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] Present methods of transporting CO2 may differ depending on end-use and specific industry. One instance is transporting CO2 in supercritical form in pipelines for Enhanced Oil Recovery in the oil production industry. Other examples include transportation of CO2 in liquid form in insulated containers on e.g. trucks or ships. Other examples include transportation of CO2 in solid form as so-called dry ice. This is usually done in standard cooling containers / semitrailer / trailer for use in e.g. the food and medical industry where proper cooling is imperative.

[0006] The EU estimates that the need for CO2 capture and storage (Carbon Capture & Storage = CCS) in the EU over the coming decades will grow by two orders of magnitude to 450 million tonnes of CO2 annually. It will be necessary to transport very large quantities of CO2 from countries without storage options to countries like e.g. Denmark with good storage options. With this hundredfold scaled transport of CO2, it is necessary to innovate and optimize the transport:

[0007] • By transporting dry ice in an existing transport system rather than investing in pressure tanks before transport, during transport and during unloading, investments and CAPEX are reduced

[0008] • By transporting dry ice with 50% greater specific density, there is 50% more capacity per truck and thus the transport price and environmental impact are reduced

[0009] There is also a safety advantage when transporting dry ice without excess pressure rather than liquid CO2 at 10-20 atmospheres pressure.

[0010] ISO containers are presently used globally in the millions for intermodal (truck, train, ship, barge) transports. This invention thus utilizes a well-functioning transport system to transport CO2.

[0011] ISO containers with insulation and refrigeration systems are also on the market, but their insulation is insufficient for the transport of minus 80°C cold dry ice, their refrigeration systems cannot refreeze dry ice and they have no safety valve.

[0012] Dry ice is already transported in ISO containers, but in smaller 5-25-50 kg capacity insulated Expanded Polysterene (EPS) boxes which are rolled into or stacked in the container. This solution provides significantly less transport capacity than the bulk transport and / or large transport boxes / pallers, trolleys of the invention. Particularly for transportation of pellets: ISO containers are filled / emptied through a double door at one end. It is not possible to fill the container completely with pellets through this door, in contrast to the invention, which can be filled completely through holes in the upper side of the container. There are open top containers that can be filled completely, but they cannot be emptied completely by gravity, unlike the invention which has an opening at the bottom of the side or at the bottom or even through the top-side of the container. The portion of the load that is not completely emptied evaporates and is a loss in the CCS process.

[0013] Present invention present several advantages and solutions in relation to the above. Present invention may be used on already existing framework for storage and transportation and is consequently directly adaptable to already existing distribution systems without need for any further modifications. Present invention also enable a more complete use of space of the container such that more of the volume of the container is used more effectively. Further advantages will become apparent from the below disclosure.

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Present invention relates to an insulated and suitably gastight container, which may be an ISO- container, wherein the container may be equipped with one or more safety vents. Moreover, the container according to the invention may be suitable for so-called intermodal transport (truck, train, ship, or e.g. barge) of primarily CO2 in solid form as so-called dry ice. The / semitrailer / trailer version may be used on roads, train, ro / ro ships and barges. Consequently, the container according to the invention may be adaptable or capable for any type of transportation on e.g. land, or sea / water. Containment (both detachable ISO container, and fixed (semitrailer truck format)) for transporting dry ice characterized by insulation better than 0.1 W / m2K (better than 0.2 W / m2K) and a 2-way safety valve. Moreover, the ISO-container according to the invention is suitable for so-called intermodal transport (truck, train, ship, or e.g. barge) of primarily CO2 in solid form as so-called dry ice The dry ice can be loaded and unloaded both in bulk granular / pellets, in trolleys / boxes / pallets with dimensions that match the internal dimensions, and by being stacked directly in the container with a pallet robot through a gullwing opening. Dry ice can also be produced inside the container from liquid or gaseous CO2 and can in this way achieve zero emissions because evaporated CO2 is converted back into dry ice. A preferred solution is for the dry ice to form on cryogenic non-stick surfaces and break off when these are deformed. In the case of bulk transport, emptying may be facilitated by fluidization with compressed air, carpet at the bottom and / or "snow thrower". The dry ice can also be emptied by evaporating it in the container using "floor heating" with alcohol in the hoses, which circulates heat from the outside surface of the container to its inside.

[0016] Consequently, present invention provides for one or more of the following advantages;

[0017] • High safety as dry ice, unlike liquid and gaseous CO2 transport, is not under increased pressure,

[0018] • Increased transport capacity as the specific density of dry ice is 50% greater than liquid CO2,

[0019] • Lower total costs due to optimized insulation in balance between maximum transport capacity, minimized loss of CO2 during transport, and minimal costs for container insulation. • Complete filling / emptying of the container,

[0020] • Evaporated dry ice is regenerated as dry ice so there is no loss along the way.

[0021] Present invention relates to a container. Suitably, the container may be employed for transportation or storage of CO2 and preferably in primarily solid state as so-called dry ice. The container may in principle be of any dimension. However, the container is preferably in the same size range as a standard ISO-container.

[0022] In one aspect, the container according to the invention may be about 2.44 m wide and have a height of about 2.59 m or about 2.90 m in “high cube” format. The length of the container may vary between about 3.05, 6.10m to 12.2 m. Semitrailer and trailers are usually limited to 2.5 m with, 12.5-13.3 m or about 17.1 m length and a height limited by national bridge clearance at about 3.35 m. Alternatively, the length of the container may be about 6.1 m long or about 12.2 m. In yet another aspect, the length of the container may be of a length of about 13.7 m, or about 14.6 m, or about 16.15 m.

[0023] In a further aspect, the container / semitrailer / trailer is equipped with at least one outlet, which may serve as a safety valve preventing high pressure build-up within the container / semitrailer / trailer. Such pressures may be pressure above the specification of a container.

[0024] In another aspect, the container / semitrailer / trailer comprises an inner lining, wherein the inner lining may serve as an insulating layer.

[0025] With respect to thermal transmittance, the container according to present invention preferably has a U-value (expressed as W / (m2-K)) less than about 0.2. Preferably it has an U-value of less than 0.1 , and even as low as about 0.06 W / (m2-K), such as e.g. less than about 0.04 W / (m2-K).

[0026] The container / semitrailer / trailer according to present invention may accommodate at least about 17 tons of dry ice, or preferably about 24 tons of dry ice etc.

[0027] In another aspect, the container / semitrailer / trailer enable transportation of dry ice such that the sublimation loss of dry ice is less than about 1% (wt% of dry ice) per day / 24h. Preferably less than about 0.5% per day.

[0028] In yet a further aspect, the container according to present invention, the loss due to incomplete emptying is below about 0.25%, or about1%, or about 3%, or about 3% to about 5%.

[0029] The container according to the invention may be further equipped with one or more in and / or outlets allowing for filling and emptying of the container.

[0030] To ease the filling and emptying of the container / semitrailer / trailer may include pipes with holes in the floor enabling application of compressed gas / air / recirculated CO2 to fluidize CO2 pellets.

[0031] The container according to present invention may comprise a suitable insulation. The insulation may be applied to the inner surface / walls of the container. A further aspect of this invention is that the container / / semitrailer / trailers surfaces are made from insulation panels, and that the ISO-container interface is made as a frame container.

[0032] In another aspect, the container according to the invention may be equipped with a device capable of regenerating evaporated gaseous CO2 from the container into solid CO2, which is recirculated back into the container.

[0033] In yet further aspects, the container according to present invention may be equipped with e.g. heating pipes or conduits which may be aided in the process of emptying the container.

[0034] The details of the invention will be further elaborated upon in the below specification.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Present invention relates to a novel container. The container is suitable for storage or transportation of CO2 in primarily solid state.

[0037] In one aspect, the container according to the invention may comprise i) one or more openings serving as dual direction safety valves, ii) one or more openings allowing for filling and emptying of the container, iii) an insulation material place or applied onto the walls of the inner surfaces of the container / semitrailer / trailer.

[0038] In another aspect, present invention relates to use of a container as described herein for storage and / or transportation of essentially dry ice, i.e. CO2 in its solid state and in any form. This may include e.g. CO2 in crushed CCh-ice in various particle sizes and may be regarded as CO2 snow. In another aspect, the CO2 may be present in pelleted form. In yet a further aspect, the CO2 may be present in form of blocks in any dimension. In another aspect, the CO2 may be present in any mixtures and in any ratio of crushed ice particles, pellets, and / or blocks.

[0039] In one aspect, the container according to present invention may in principle have any dimension. Preferably, the container may have dimensions in order of e.g. an ISO-freight container mentioned herein. In one aspect, the container may be adaptable or capable of employing any type of standard transportation. Such transportation may be transportation by ship and typically a freight ship or may be transportation by train. Simultaneously, the container according to the invention may also be suitable for shipping by standard trucks. This may include containers suitable for transportations by the aid of a truck or a trailer, a semi-truck or semi-trailer. Reference is made to Fig. 1 as an illustrative example. Fig. 1 illustrates the various aforementioned elements as 1.1 , 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4.

[0040] The container itself may consist or comprise of traditional container material such as steel or iron and may optionally also be additionally reinforced. The inner surface of the walls of the container may comprise one or more of thin plates of galvanised steel, stainless steel, corrosion resistant aluminium, coated or painted metal plates, polymer plates etc.

[0041] The internal surface may have any type of suitable coating or paint, or may alternatively have a reflective surface, such as e.g. polished stainless steel or the likes. The CO2 placed within the container for storage or transport may in principle be in any shape, such as e.g., but not limited to, pellets, granules or blocks of CO2 or as crushed snow of various particle sizes. The physical state of the CO2 is primarily in solid phase but does not exclude a certain amount being in gaseous state at normal pressure and temperature (NTP - 293.15 K and 101.325 kPa).

[0042] In one aspect, the container according to the invention is a closed container forming a separate closed volume. In one aspect, the container contains six walls forming a separate volume and making up the inner and outer confines of the container. Preferably, the container is gastight with the only exceptions for ventilation openings. In one aspect, the container may essentially be of a cubical shape with respect to its outer geometry and when viewed in its closed state. In another aspect, the container may essentially be a rectangular prism, i.e. six rectangular faces that meet at right angles in its outer geometry and when viewed in a closed state. One non-limiting example of a rectangular prism is e.g. an ISO container.

[0043] In one aspect, the container is equipped with at least one opening suitable placed on the top of the container. This opening may be employed for filling the container with CO2 in solid form.

[0044] I another aspect, the container may be equipped with at least one opening that may be placed at the bottom of the container, or may be at the lower part of the side walls of the container. This opening may allow for emptying the container of its contents. In another aspect, emptying of the container may be performed at the top end of the container.

[0045] When emptying the container from its contents and in order to allow for a complete emptying, the container may be tilted and this procedure is facilitated by the opening placed at the bottom end of the container, or alternatively a side end of the container.

[0046] In another aspect, emptying of the container may be performed by the aid of compressed air / recirculated CO2 to thereby increase the fluidity of e.g. CO2 ice pellets, or may be employed to push out smaller CO2 particles.

[0047] In another aspect, the container may be emptied by applying vibrations to the container.

[0048] In yet a further aspect, the container may be emptied by vacuuming out the dry ice. Naturally, and obvious to a person skilled in the art, this type of technique is most suited for CO2 in form of smaller particles and pellets.

[0049] In another aspect, emptying of the container may be performed by the aid of e.g. a forklift, or any type of machine driven loader or robot. This technique may be employed when the CO2 is present as larger blocks, which may be further loaded onto pallets or cassettes.

[0050] The openings may be insulated, and may be equipped with a plug or other means for closing off the volume of the container from the surrounding volume or environment. Thus, the plug or other means of closing the container may be insulated on the part thereof present on the inside of the container when the container is closed. This provides for the advantage that no or negligible cold bridge is present near the closed opening and consequently avoids any loss of energy and will minimise the need for cooling of the container.

[0051] The container according to the invention is suitable equipped with an opening serving as a safety valve and thus ensuring that excess pressure build-up is avoided. The safety valve function may be integrated in the hatch by e.g. locking it with a suspension lock. As solid CO2 sublimates into gaseous CO2, a closed container would result in an undesirable build-up of pressure which entails a risk when handling the container, both during storage and transport, as well as emptying the container. The presence of a ventilation opening obviates this problem which could otherwise be a safety issue.

[0052] As mentioned herein, the container may be equipped with or even in some instances be made from an insulating material. The aim with the insulation is to maintain the temperature of the inner volume of the container. Suitably, the insulating material is placed on the entire inner surface of the container. In one aspect, the insulating material is in principle any type of material and may in one aspect comprise polyurethane which may be a combination of various urethane components such as e.g. PIR / PUR foams. The insulating material may also be e.g. mineral wool, EPS or Vacuum Insulation Panels or the likes. Reference is made to Fig. 2, which illustrates one possible mode of insulation of the container. The outer shell of the container (2.1) is equipped with so-called sandwich panels (2.2). The sandwich panels are fixated by locks, which are illustrated by element (2.3).

[0053] In one aspect, and with reference to Fig. 3, the container according to present invention may comprise an insulating foam of any type as indicated herein. The container (3.1) is equipped with an insulating foam (3.2) which may be applied by spraying the foam onto the container walls, which may thereafter accommodate the dry ice / solid CO2 (3.3).

[0054] In one aspect, the container according to the invention may comprise a pneumatic membrane. Preferably, the membrane would be the inner lining of the container with respect to its inner surface being in contact with the dry ice. In one aspect, the membrane is equipped with spacing devices which may take any suitable form as long as said spacing devices provides for a distance between the membrane and the inner walls of the container. The spacing means may be e.g. of conical form, semi-spherical form, rods etc., or any type or geometrical protrusion or extrusion. Consequently, the membrane is placed within the container, such that the membrane constitutes a closed volume within the container and such that the membrane volume is approximately concentrically placed within the container and spaced from the walls of the container by the aid of the spacing devices, i.e. the extrusions or protrusions. The design of the membrane when inflated inside the container reduces cold bridges. The membrane may in principle be of any suitable material and e.g., but not limited to a thermoplastic material or polymer such as e.g. nylon, polyester, or elastomer, or any type of rubber. Optionally, the membrane may be reinforced with any type of material such as e.g. a textile material. The insulation is filled between said liner and the container like in cavity walls. Reference is made to Fig. 4 illustrating this aspect. The container (4.1) is equipped with a pneumatic membrane (4.3) which may be placed inside the container in a collapsed state. The membrane may subsequently be inflated into the shape seen in e.g. Fig. 4 with protrusions / extrusions (4.4) resulting in the membrane being placed concentrically within the container. The resulting gap (4.2) between the membrane and the container wall may be filled with an insulating material.

[0055] In one aspect, the protrusions / extrusions themselves are solid such that the inner surface of the membrane does not comprise any indentations or depression.

[0056] One non-limiting aspect of filling the container with an insulating material is illustrated in Fig. 5. The container (5.2) is tilted to an angle of at least ca 45°, such as e.g. at least about 65°. Thereafter a tube or hose (5.1) is inserted along the sidewall of the container after which the insulating material / insulating foam (5.3) is pumped into the cavity. In another aspect, the membrane may have one or more surfaces which does not contain any protrusions / extrusions. This will result in one surface of the membrane being in contact with the inner side of the container walls. In such instance, the membrane will not be concentrically placed within the container.

[0057] As mentioned above, the insulating material may be placed between the walls of the container and the walls of the membrane. The insulating material may be injected in an injection moulding manner and allowed to set or cure. Preferably, the insulating material is placed within the container such that the protrusions, which may be in any geometrical shape, are embedded in the insulating material and such that the protrusions are no in contact with the wall of the container. This particular feature will contribute to a reduced build-up of cold bridges, and consequently reduction of energy loss or heat ingress.

[0058] For some applications, the insulating material may be any type of material enabling injection moulding, such as e.g. any types of polyurethanes, EPS bead, mineral wool. In other instances, the insulation material may be e.g. a rigid substance such as e.g. mineral wool or polystyrene and the likes. Other examples of materials for insulation may be e.g. any type of vacuum isolation panels (VIP).

[0059] As mentioned herein, the insulation material may be placed in a sandwich manner onto the walls, floor and roof of the container. Such set-up of the insulating plates may be fixed to one another by a suitable locking devices, or may have a design providing for interlocking of the plates with each other, or may alternatively be glued together or fixed in any suitable manner. The sandwich elements may be in form of rectangular plates of prefabricated plates or panels of insulating material.

[0060] In another aspect, the container may comprise a combination of various types of insulation or set-ups for insulation. Consequently, the insulating element may comprise a combination of sandwich panels and a membrane as mentioned above.

[0061] In a further aspect, and as indicated above, the insulating material may comprise several layers of same or different materials. For example, several layers of insulating plates may constitute the collected insulating layers.

[0062] In yet a further aspect, the insulating material may be applied onto the inner walls of the container by e.g. spraying the material onto the inner walls.

[0063] In yet another aspect, the container may constitute the isolating material without a specific different outer layer.

[0064] With reference to Fig. 6, one aspect of the invention is illustrated by adhering e.g. two insulating bodies (6.3) into one closed unit. This so-called “bathtub” approach may utilise a connecting or locking device (6.4), wherein the gap (6.2) is filled with an insulating material.

[0065] With respect to the insulation, it is desirable to have a U-value of about 0.2 or less, such as e.g. about 0.15 or less, or about 0.1 or less, or about 0.05 or less, or about 0.025 or less, or about 0.015 or less, or about 0.010 or less, or about 0.005 (W / (m2-K)) or less.

[0066] The U-values of the container via its insulation provides for a loss of solid CO2 owing to sublimation into its gas phase of about 1 % or less (based on wt.% of solid CO2), such as e.g. about 0.5 % or less, such as e.g. about 0.25% or less. The role of the insulating layers and optionally also the membrane if present, is to avoid contact of generated carbonic acid with walls of the container. Usually, the walls of the container is a metallic material such as e.g. steel and preventing contact of carbonic acid with such metallic material will also prevent corrosion.

[0067] As mentioned herein, the container is equipped with at least one opening that may serve as a safety valve serving the purpose of ensuring that no undesirable pressure is built up within the container during shipping or any type of handling, including e.g. emptying the container providing for a safe and easy handling of the container in all stages of transportation, filling, emptying or e.g. any maintenance of the container. These aspects are of importance since e.g. there may be about 30% air in a fully loaded container. When employing e.g. pneumatic transport, this portion of air will be warmer that the dry ice. Subsequently, and as the air cools down to about -80°C, the volume thereof will decrease and in case of a closed volume, and under pressure results. The dual direction safety valve will obviate this. Likewise, during transport, dry ice will evaporate into gaseous CO2, and in a closed volume, an overpressure would ensue. Again, the ventilation mechanism will obviate this.

[0068] In one aspect, the safety valve may be e.g. a dual direction safety valve and consequently enable increasing and decreasing the pressure in the container.

[0069] In a preferred aspect, the safety valve or ventilation opening may be placed on top of the container. This has the advantage of avoiding formation and blocking of ice of the ventilation opening and such that any built up under-pressure or vacuum would suck in dry ice in the ventilation opening and potentially block the ventilation capacity.

[0070] Suitable, the ventilation mechanism itself, regulating the pressure is placed on the outside surface of the container. This will provide for any elimination of ice formation by melting any formed H2O ice.

[0071] As mentioned herein, the container is equipped with at least one opening that may serve as a loading opening. This opening may be in any suitable form such as a quadric, rectangular or circular opening and may be of any suitable size enabling loading or filling of the container. In one aspect, the opening may be equipped with an opening (and closing) mechanism in form of a hinged hatch or a hinged door enabling opening and closing of the container. Said opening may be placed on top of the container or on the side of the container. If the lock is spring loaded it can serve as a safety valve. Thus, in one aspect, the safety valve or ventilation opening may also be employed as the opening for filling the container.

[0072] Alternatively, the openings of the container for filling or unloading / emptying may be designed to be closed by any type of stopper or plug. Optionally, this set-up may include a means for securing that the plug or stopper is kept in place and is tightly sealing the container.

[0073] With reference to Fig. 8, the invention is illustrated wherein the container (8.1) is equipped with a conical plug (8.3) which is further equipped with a lid (8.2). The figure further illustrates the insulation layer (8.5) and the plug suspension (8.4) in a cross-sectional view. Furthermore, the plug itself may comprise an insulating material such as e.g. insulating foam. Moreover, the plug may be equipped with a one or more magnetic plates made of e.g. a metal (Fig. 8, B6.5). Corresponding magnetic metallic objects may be present in or around the plug opening. As also mentioned herein, the container may be further equipped with at least a second opening. Such opening may be employed when emptying the contents of the container. The second opening is suitably placed on the lower side, or lower portion of the container which will facilitate emptying of the container’s contents.

[0074] In another aspect, the container may be equipped with a hinged door, preferably placed on the side of the container and a ventilation opening preferably placed on top of the container.

[0075] In one non-limiting aspect, and with reference to Fig. 9, the container according to the invention may comprise a gull-wing type of opening (9.1). Fig. 9 illustrates the situation wherein the container is open and closed. The container may comprise a frame (9.5) which may optionally be reinforced. The container may suitable comprise a hinge mechanism (9.2) and an opener (9.4). This particular aspects, enables filling an emptying the container of dry ice in facile way in such instance that e.g. dry ice blocks are used for transportation of CO2.

[0076] In one aspect, the openings may have identical or different means of closing the contained and may comprise e.g. any type of stopper, plug, hinged door or hinged hatch or the likes.

[0077] In a further aspect, the means of closing the container, which may be, but not exclusively be e.g. any type of stopper, plug, hinged door or hinged hatch or the likes, may have at least one surface coated with an insulating material. In a preferred embodiment, then at least one insulated surface is facing the inside volume of the container. In another aspect, the means for closing off the container, which may be, but not exclusively be e.g. any type of stopper, plug, hinged door or hinged hatch or the likes, may comprise wholly or partly of an isolating material. As a non-limiting example, the stopper or plug may comprise of consist of an insulating material.

[0078] In a further aspect, the stopper or plug may have any suitable geometrical shape such as e.g. partly conical or cylindrical. One non-limiting examples of this is illustrated in Fig. 8.

[0079] As mentioned herein, the container according to the invention may be equipped with a hinged door, preferably placed on the side of the container. Moreover, in such case, the container may comprise an isolating layer at the bottom part of the container which is removable in a suitable way and consequently may be moved in and / or out of the container. This could be regarded as a movable floor of the container. The isolation part on the bottom of the container may be equipped with rails or wheels. This will facilitate loading of the container by placing larger blocks of dry ice onto the movable insulation and the container may thus be loaded by placing the dry ice onto the movable insulating part (floor of the container) which is subsequently moved inside the container. Optionally, the dry ice may be placed directly onto the floor or the dry ice may be placed in smaller insulating containers, such as e.g. boxes of polystyrene, or crates of any suitable material or size. Preferably, such boxes, trolleys or pallets should be designed to enable handling by e.g. robots or forklift etc. and should be designed so as to allow stacking of the boxes or crates in order to maximize the use of the space within the container.

[0080] Preferably, said insulated boxes / pallets are made in a dimension fully filling the internal width and height of the fully insulated container with only an approximately 10 cm margin for movement inside the container It is to be understood that when the container is placed on the ground or onto any transportation means and surface thereof, the bottom side or part of the container is the wall of the container facing the ground. The sidewalls are any of the wall essentially perpendicular to the ground, and the top part or wall is the portion of the container parallel to the bottom wall or part of the container. In a non-limiting aspect, and with reference to Fig. 15, the invention is illustrated by a container placed on a trailer. The floor (15.4) which is in contact with the trailer and which may also be placed on the ground. Furthermore, the top of the container, which may be regarded as the roof (15.1) is naturally above the floor. The container may further comprise side ends or gables (15.2). The container may further comprise side walls (15.3). In the figure, the container comprises one roof (15.1), two sides (15.3), two gables (15.2), which may optionally comprise one or more openings which may be sealed by any suitable means, or such that one or both gables are hatches or doors, and one floor side (15.4).

[0081] The container according to the invention may further be equipped with heating pipes or conduits. Preferably, these pipes or conduits are placed in between the inner walls of the container and the insulation layer of the container. The purpose of these pipes or conduits is to allow for heating of the inner surface of the container when emptying the container of its contents (dry ice). This would entail a phase transfer of the solid dry ice into its gaseous form.

[0082] In a non-limiting aspect, and with reference to Fig. 14, as mentioned herein, the container may be equipped with a means of heating the container. As mentioned above, the heating may be by circulating a medium within the pipes which are deployed along the walls of the container and which may be wholly or partially be embedded in the insulating material. In Fig. 14, this aspect is illustrated, wherein the inner surface of the container is a metal surface (14.1). Furthermore, in the cross sectional schematic figure, the container is made of steel (14.5) and having inner pipes (14.2) as well as pipes placed on the outer side (14.4). In between the pipes, a foam insulation (14.3) is present.

[0083] In other aspects, the design of the container may comprise a container as illustrated in Fig. 10. In said figure, dry ice blocks (10.2) are placed on an insulated pallet (10.4). The insulated pallet is then incorporated into a lid-like part which may be regarded as an insulated lid (10.1). The resulting entity constitutes a closed container. The lid may comprise insulated gables (10.3).

[0084] In yet a further aspect, the container may be designed as illustrated in Fig. 11. The figure illustrates the container (11.1), with its insulating layer (11.2) into which dry ice blocks on a pallet (11.3) is inserted.

[0085] In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a container comprising a device for sublimating gaseous CO2 into solid form, i.e. into dry ice. This will enable recirculating any loss of evaporated / sublimated dry ice back into the container. Reference is made to Figs. 12 and 13 illustrating this aspect.

[0086] In a particular aspect, the device for recirculating any evaporated dry ice back into the container, is preferably operated by traditional cascade cooling techniques and by the aid of cryogenic cooling. Preferably, said device comprises parts, which in turn comprises so-called non-stick surfaces which may be e.g. Teflon® / polytetrafluoroethylene. Said parts are preferably in shape of plates with a non-stick coating. The plates are preferably flexible or may be operated such that the plates are inflatable and may be inflated to increase the overall surface area of the plates and conversely deflatable to decrease the overall surface area. This set-up enables direct sublimation of gaseous losses of CO2 back into solid state as dry ice.

[0087] In one aspect, the details of the device for recirculating gaseous CO2 back into solid state may comprise a cooling pipe. Said cooling pipe may be equipped with a plurality of flexible thin plates. Said thin plates may have a surface coating of any non-stick material, such as e.g. polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0088] According to the invention, the device for recirculating gaseous CO2 back into solid state may be placed either inside the container or outside the container.

[0089] In one aspect, and as illustrated in Fig. 17, the device is placed inside the container (F1.1) and may be e.g. a cryogenic dry ice machine (F1 .4). the container may further be equipped with an insulation layer (F1.2), a recirculation pipe (F1.3) and a pipe from a CO2 gas source which may be from the container itself.

[0090] In another aspect, the device for re-sublimating and re-circulating gaseous CO2 back into the container as dry ice, may be performed by internally inside the container apply nozzles, such as e.g. fire extinguisher nozzles for dry ice production (F2.3) and further equip the container (F2.1) with a return pipe / hose (F2.4).

[0091] In one aspect, and with reference to Fig. 12, the device may be a cryogenic dry ice machine. The device may comprise a containment space (12.1) and may further comprise a CO2 gas inlet (12.3). The device may further comprise one or more ventilators or means for circulating the atmosphere within the device containment. Furthermore, the device may be equipped with a cooling pipe (12.4). The cooling itself is from a fluid like LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), Nitrogen, alcohol within the cooling pipe from any suitable external cooling medium. The pipe may be equipped with a pipe insulation (12.5). The device may further comprise a plurality of plates attached to the cooling pipe. The plates may be flexible and may be further have a nonstick surface (12.6). The device may also be equipped by an collecting tray or ice tray for collecting the re-sublimated CO2 (12.7).

[0092] The operation of the device according to the invention, may be illustrated by Fig. 13. The plates (12.6) are attached to a rod (13.1-13.5) which is movable in the horizontal plane and coaxially with the cooling pipe (12.4). In such manner, the re-sublimated CO gas is twisted or shaken off the plates.

[0093] Other various designs of the container may be envisaged. Other aspects that may be contemplated in respect of the invention, is the filling and emptying of the container according to the invention. A non-limiting example is apparent in Fig. 7, wherein the container is filled at the top side (7.1) when the container is tilted. The emptying (7.4) may also be performed when the container is tilted. As illustrated in said figure, compressed air may be employed (7.3).

[0094] Other aspects of the container according to the invention are apparent from Fig. 16. For easy handling of the container itself, the container may be equipped channels for a forklift (D1 .4). Said figure illustrates one aspect wherein the inner top and bottom walls are sloping.

[0095] In yet a further aspect, the container according to present invention may be equipped with a movable part placed at the bottom end (floor) of the container. The movable part may be a fabric like sheet, such as e.g. a carpet like structure which may comprise of any suitable woven or non-woven material. This may be employed when emptying the container such that the movable part is pulled out of the container and aiding in the process of pulling or forcing out the dry ice. This also allows for a controlled manner of emptying the container which reduced the risk of an uncontrolled avalanche-like effect when emptying the container.

[0096] In a particular aspect, the container according to the invention, may comprise a suitable means of a conveyor mechanism. This mechanism may be utilised when emptying the container. One non-limiting example may be that the container is equipped with a so-called screw conveyor or auger conveyors, suitable placed at the bottom of the container. In order to facilitate the emptying of the container, the conveyor mechanism may be in combination with a container having the bottom structure designed as sloping walls. This aspect is illustrated in Fig. 19 and item (C3.3).

[0097] In another aspect, present invention also relates to a novel hatch. The hatch may be regarded as a plug. Reference is made to e.g. Figs. 20 and 21 wherein this aspect is illustrated. The hatch / plug may be essentially cylindrical or alternatively rhomboid in any aspect, such as e.g. quadratic or rectangular and thus have a three dimensional shape of a cube or cuboid. The cylindrical or Cube or cuboid body is primarily intended to be inserted into an opening in the container of the same geometrical shape. In a preferred aspect, the hatch may be cylindrical and may be regarded as a plug. Naturally, the container body comprises a complement opening to accommodate the hatch / plug for a tight fit.

[0098] In a particular aspect, the hatch is essentially a cylindrical body with either a conical shape or may comprise two or more cylindrical parts aligned axially of different radii / radiuses.

[0099] In one aspect, the hatch may be fully inserted into the body of the container such that essentially the top part of the hatch may be in level with the surface of the container. This will allow for stacking several containers on top of each other without the hatch on one container being in contact with a container stacked on top of said container.

[0100] In one aspect, the hatch construct may be a solid or hollow body or partially hollow body.

[0101] In another aspect, the lid part of the hatch may be hollow. This could e.g. entail an increased insulation.

[0102] In another aspect, the hatch may be equipped with a magnetic material placed inside e.g. the hollow space of the hatch or part of the hollow space of the hatch. In another aspect, the top end of the hatch may be equipped with a steel plate or any other suitable magnetic material (as illustrated in e.g. Fig. 21 and element 21.2) This will allow for opening of the hatch by means of any type of magnetic interaction such as e.g. by the aid of an electromagnetic device. This aspect could e.g. also allow for an automatic (non-manual) opening of the hatch for filling or emptying purposes. The magnetic material may be e.g. any type of paramagnetic material of ferromagnetic material.

[0103] In another aspect, the hatch may be made of any suitable material such as e.g. any type of metal and such as e.g. stainless steel.

[0104] However, in a particular aspect, the hatch may be made of a plastic or polymeric material. Such material may be PIR (polyisocyanurate), or PUR (polyurethane), or any type of nylon which may be Nylon-12 (Poly(dodecano-12-lactam). Such material may allow for e.g. 3D printing. Furthermore, such material may also allow for extra insulation as metallic material generally have a higher thermal conductivity. In this aspect, the plastic or polymeric material should have a temperature tolerance down to about - 100°C such that the material does not become fatigued or brittle and lower temperatures in the temperature range of about -10°C down to about -100°C.

[0105] The hatch may be equipped with one or more sealing devices, such as e.g. a so-called O-ring sealing device (illustrated in e.g. Fig.20 and elements 20.2 and 20.3). The purpose of the sealing devise may be e.g. to increase the sealing capacity of the hatch in order to prevent loss or leakage of CO2. This aspect is illustrated in e.g. Fig. 20 and elements 20.2 and 20.3.

[0106] In one aspect, the hatch may be equipped with a flange or shoulder to support or accommodate for the O-ring. Alternatively, the flange or shoulder to support the O-ring or accommodate the O-ring may be a part of the container body. This aspect is illustrated in e.g. Fig. 20 and element 20.5.

[0107] In a further preferred aspect, the sealing device, which may be e.g. a so-called O-ring may be part of the container body. Thus, and in such aspect, the hatch does not comprise a sealing device..

[0108] In yet a further aspect, at least one sealing device may be comprised with the hatch and at least one sealing device may be comprised with the container body.

[0109] Thus as mentioned above and as illustrated in Fig. 20, the hatch may comprise one or two O- rings (sealing devices), or may comprise one sealing device (O-ring, illustrated in e.g. Fig. 20.2 and Fig. 20.3), or may not comprise any sealing device.

[0110] The sealing device, such as e.g. an O-ring may be made of any suitable material, such as a rubbery material, plastic material, metal etc.

[0111] Moreover, the hatch may be equipped with a lining material. In one aspect, the lining material may be applied on the outer surface of the hatch itself, i.e. the outer surface of the plug-like cylindrical body. In another aspect, the lining may be applied to the surface of the complement cylindrical hole into which the plug / hatch is inserted. In yet a further aspect a lining may be applied to both the plug / hatch and the complement cylindrical hole of the container body. The lining is illustrated in e.g. Fig. 20.1 and / or Fig. 20.4.

[0112] In yet a further aspect, the hatch and / or the container body may be equipped with a locking mechanism. This aspect is illustrated in e.g. Fig. 20 and element 20.6 or alternatively, illustrated in Fig. 21 and element 21.3. In a particular aspect, the locking mechanism may be an integral part of the hatch itself, and such that the hatch may be open or locked by a twisting action. Thus in one aspect, the locking mechanism may be protrusions (protruding radially) placed essentially at the top part of the hatch and such that corresponding indentations or cavities are placed on the outer surface or roof part of the container able to accommodate said protrusions of the hatch and providing for a locking action when the hatch is twisted e.g. clock wise and opened by twisting the hatch counter clock-wise. Merely as a non-limiting illustrative example, twisting the hatch from about 15 to about 20 degrees would either lock or open the hatch.

[0113] In another aspect, the hatch may comprise or consist of an insulating material of any suitable kind such as e.g. a material of low thermal conductivity. One non-limiting example may be e.g. a polyurethane (PUR) based material. This aspect is illustrated in e.g. Fig. 21 and element 21.4. Another non-limiting example may be e.g. a polyisocyanurate (PIR) based material.

[0114] In yet a further aspect, the hatch construct may have the same or different insulating material as the container body.

[0115] In a further aspect, the hatch wherein said hatch is inserted into the container body is illustrated in e.g. Fig. 21 and elements 21.4, 21.5, and 21.6 illustrating the hatch fully inserted into the opening of the container and with the locking mechanism in action.

[0116] The inventors of present invention have surprisingly found that the novel hatch construct as discussed herein provides for an array of advantages and at least or more of the following;

[0117] • minimizes heat conduction,

[0118] • a hollow lid, ensuring lid insulation,

[0119] • Built in lock for securing the lid without use of e.g. metal or other movable pieces,

[0120] • design ensures lid will not exceed allowed height, i.e. enabling another container to be stacked on top,

[0121] • steel insert in top of lid, ensures lid can be opened by automated machinery using electromagnets.

[0122] There are many advantageous effect of the above such as e.g. robustness, durability, adaptability. Moreover, it has been found that the overall loss of CO2 in form of sublimation may be minimized and with a low thermal conductivity with low U-values.

[0123] Other aspects of the invention may be that the container may be equipped with gauges or sensors and optionally, where these gauges may be coupled to a cloud for continuous control or monitoring of e.g. the pressure of the container or the CO2 content and CO2 sublimation levels.

[0124] A further aspect may be that the container with its collected data on e.g. pressure of the container or the CO2 content and CO2 sublimation levels may be input into an Al (machine learning) for predictive analysis or automation. Alternatively, the Al aspect may be employed for real-time feedback loops and self-adjustments.

[0125] Consequently, present invention provides for a novel container, which is more effective both in terms of energy efficiency, use of storage volume and reduced loss of solid CO2.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A container comprising: i) one or more openings serving as vents, ii) one or more openings allowing for filling and emptying of the container, iii) an insulation place onto the walls of the inner surfaces of the container, wherein the said insulation has U-value of about 0.2 W / m2K or less, such as e.g. about 0.1 or less, and measured under standard conditions (20 °C at 1 atm), and wherein further at least one opening in i) is a two-way safety valve.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the container is sealable such that the container is essentially a closed body, and wherein the container is capable of being transported by any type of vessel selected from a ship, a barge, a truck, trailer, train, or by airplane or any combinations thereof.

3. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least opening in ii) is placed on the top side of the container, and wherein at least one opening in ii) is placed at the lower part or bottom / floor of the container.

4. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one opening ii) comprises a hatch or a hatch mechanism, or a plug or device for closing the container body.

5. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hatch comprises a cylindrical body, optionally comprising two or more cylindrical parts aligned axially of different radii / radiuses.

6. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hatch, once inserted into the body of the container, the top part of the hatch is essentially in level with the surface of the container.

7. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hatch comprises a hollow portion, such as a hollow portion at the top / lid part of the hatch.

8. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hatch comprises a metallic magnetic material.

9. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hatch comprises means for a twisting locking mechanism and the container opening ii) is capable of accommodating the twisting locking mechanism.

10. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hatch comprises or at least partially comprise, or consists of a plastic or polymeric material such as PUR or PIR.

11. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening for accommodating the hatch comprises one or more means for tightly sealing the container such as e.g. a gasket or washer which may be e.g. one or more O-rings, and / or such that the hatchcomprises one or more means for tightly sealing the container such as e.g. a gasket or washer which may be e.g. one or more O-rings.

12. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening for accommodating the hatch comprises is at least partially lined with a suitable material, such as e.g. a plastic or rubbery material.

13. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one opening at the bottom part or at the floor of the container ii) enables insertion of compressed air or CO2 into the container.

14. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulation comprise one or more layers of insulation and wherein the different layers may the of the same of different material, or wherein the insulating layers may further comprise an inflatable / collapsible membrane layer constituting the inner surface of the cavity of the container and wherein the membrane may optionally be concentrically placed within the container.

15. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more openings allowing for filling and emptying of the container is a hinged hatch or a door, such as e.g. a gull-wing door, or a plug, wherein said hatch, door, or plug comprises an insulating material.

16. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is equipped with a movable or mobile part placed at the bottom part or floor of the container, such as e.g. a woven or non-woven structure of any low friction material.

17. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is equipped with rails or tracks enabling loading of the container by e.g. a forklift.

18. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is equipped with tubes or conduits placed within the insulating material, capable of heating the inner surface of the container, and wherein tubes or conduits may comprise a medium such as e.g. an alcohol or configured to circulate a gaseous medium such as air.

19. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is equipped with a cryogenic device for re-sublimation of gaseous CO2 into solid CO2, and wherein the device is placed inside or outside the container, to thereby re-circulate sublimated CO2 back into the container.

20. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is equipped with pipes to nozzles for desublimation of liquid CO2 producing dry ice within the container and piping returning gaseous CO2 for liquefaction.

21. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container is equipped with one or more conveyor devices, wherein the one or more conveyor devices are e.g. screw conveyors or auger conveyors placed at the bottom of the container and in connection with the one or more openings in ii).

22. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner space geometry of the container is irregular, such as e.g. comprising one or more grooves or indentsof various dimensions, and wherein optionally the one or more conveyor devices are placed at the bottom of the grooves or indents.

23. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating material is e.g. polyurethane which may be a combination of various urethane components such as e.g. PIR / PUR foams or e.g. mineral wool, EPS or Vacuum Insulation Panels or the likes, or any combination of said insulating materials.

24. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises one or more sensors or gauges which are optionally connected to a cloud function for collecting data.

25. The container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the collected data may be analysed by artificial intelligence for further analysis and action.

26. Use of a container according to any one of the proceeding claims for storage and / or transportation and / or processing of CO2 essentially in solid form, selected from blocks of various sizes, pellets or as crushed ice of various particle sizes.

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