Insulation material distribution apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to an insulation material distribution apparatus for distributing an insulation material into an insulation space of a liquefied gas storage tank in order to fill the insulation space with the insulation material, the insulation material distribution apparatus comprising: an input pipe into which the insulation material is input; and a distribution blade which is disposed inside the input pipe and determines the distribution direction of the insulation material, wherein the distribution blade may be provided so that at least one of the distribution direction or a distribution angle is adjusted.

Description

Insulation distribution device

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0175808 dated November 29, 2024 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0054903 dated April 25, 2025, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent applications are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] The present invention relates to an insulation material distribution device, and more specifically, to an insulation material distribution device that evenly distributes insulation material into an insulation space to fill the insulation material into an insulation space of a liquefied gas storage tank that stores, for example, a liquefied gas such as liquefied hydrogen.

[0005] Hydrogen is one of the most highly anticipated energy sources in the upcoming era of eco-friendly energy. In addition to its eco-friendly nature, hydrogen offers a wider range of applications than conventional batteries, and the government and companies have long-term plans to increase hydrogen self-sufficiency and production rates.

[0006] Accordingly, the storage and transportation of hydrogen must be smooth, but gaseous hydrogen has the disadvantage of requiring high-pressure facilities and having a small transport capacity.

[0007] To achieve this, liquefying gas reduces its volume, making storage and transportation easier. Gas in this state is called liquefied gas. For example, among liquefied gases, LNG has a liquefaction temperature of -163 degrees Celsius at atmospheric pressure, so the internal temperature of the storage tank must be maintained at an ultra-low temperature to store and transport it. In particular, since hydrogen has an even lower liquefaction temperature of -253 degrees Celsius than LNG, the internal temperature of the storage tank must be maintained at an ultra-low temperature even lower than that of LNG.

[0008] If the insulation of a liquefied gas (LNG) storage tank is insufficient, resulting in high thermal conductivity, the gas may vaporize, generating excessive Boil-off Gas (BOG). The generation of excessive BOG reduces the remaining amount of transported LNG, and high-pressure BOG can affect the safety of the storage tank. Therefore, while excess BOG remaining after fuel use is sometimes re-liquefied or leaked into the air, LNG carriers may require high-performance insulation systems capable of maintaining the internal temperature of the storage tank at cryogenic levels to minimize these risks.

[0009] Currently, various insulation structures are being applied to liquefied hydrogen storage tanks. For example, multi-layer insulation (MLI), spray-on-foam insulation (SOFI), vapor-cooled shield (VCS), and insulation-filling methods are being utilized.

[0010] Among these methods, the insulation filling method enhances insulation performance by filling the insulation space, which surrounds the liquid hydrogen storage area of ​​a liquid hydrogen storage tank, with powdered or bead-shaped insulation material and then creating a vacuum within the space. However, creating a vacuum within an insulation space filled with insulation material is a very difficult and time-consuming task. This is particularly true when using HGMs (hollow glass microspheres) tens of micrometers in size as insulation, and there has been a problem in that this vacuum formation process takes a very long time, ranging from several weeks to several months.

[0011] The present invention aims to provide an insulation material distribution device that evenly distributes insulation material into an insulation space to fill the insulation space of a liquefied gas storage tank with insulation material.

[0012] The insulation material distribution device of the present invention is an insulation material distribution device for distributing insulation material into an insulation space to fill insulation material within an insulation space of a liquefied gas storage tank, and comprises: an input pipe into which insulation material is introduced; and a distribution wing disposed inside the input pipe to determine the direction of distribution of the insulation material, wherein the distribution wing may be configured to adjust one or more of the distribution direction and the distribution angle.

[0013] In one example, it may further include a rotatable first body part to which the distribution wing is connected on one side; a second body part disposed between the input pipe and the first body part; and a rotary drive unit provided on the second body part to rotate the first body part relative to the second body part.

[0014] In one example, the rotary drive unit includes a rotary motion member that contacts a contact groove formed in the first body part and is rotatable about a first axis, and the first body part can be rotated relative to the second body part by rotation of the rotary motion member about the first axis.

[0015] In one example, an angle adjustment unit for adjusting the distribution angle of the distribution wing may be further included.

[0016] In one example, the angle adjustment member includes a vertical movement member that can move up and down within the input pipe, one end of the distribution wing is fixed in position within the input pipe by a hinge connection, and the other end of the distribution wing is connected to the vertical movement member through a link member, and by the vertical movement of the vertical movement member, the distribution wing is rotated relative to the one end, so that the distribution angle of the distribution wing can be adjusted.

[0017] In one example, a height adjustment unit for adjusting the height of the distribution blade within the input pipe may be further included.

[0018] In one example, the height adjustment unit may include a worm that can rotate by engaging with a worm wheel formed in the input pipe.

[0019] The insulation material distribution device of the present invention can evenly distribute insulation material into an insulation space to fill the insulation space of a liquefied gas storage tank with insulation material.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an insulation material filling system equipped with an insulation material distribution device of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 is a drawing showing the thermal insulation material distribution device of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 is a drawing showing the insulation material distribution device of Figure 2 from a different direction.

[0023] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of part A of Figure 3.

[0024] FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic partial cross-sectional views illustrating a method for adjusting the distribution angle of the distribution blade of the thermal insulation material distribution device of the present invention.

[0025] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. It should be noted that in assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions would hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0026] In addition, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used when describing the components of the embodiments of the present invention. These terms are intended merely to distinguish the components from other components, and the essence, order, or sequence of the components is not limited by these terms. Where it is stated that a component is "connected," "combined," or "joined" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or joined to the other component, but that another component may also be "connected," "combined," or "joined" between each component.

[0027] In this specification, the front-back, left-right, and up-down directions are referred to for convenience of explanation and may be directions orthogonal to one another. However, these directions are determined relatively, and the term "up-down direction" does not necessarily mean a vertical direction.

[0028]

[0029] <Insulation material filling system (100)>

[0030] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an insulation material filling system (100) equipped with an insulation material distribution device (40) of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, an insulation material distribution device (40) according to the present invention may be provided in the insulation material filling system (100). Specifically, an insulation material filling system (100) for filling an insulation material (G) within an insulation space (16) of a liquefied gas storage tank (10) may include a liquefied gas storage tank (10) having an insulation space (16), an insulation material storage chamber (20) for receiving an insulation material (G) before it is filled into the insulation space (16), and an insulation material distribution device (40) disposed at the inlet side of the liquefied gas storage tank (10) for distributing the insulation material (G) into the insulation space (16). At this time, a vacuuming facility may be provided to reduce the pressure of the insulation material (G) in the insulation storage chamber (20) to the final target pressure of the insulation space (16), and the insulation material (G) in a reduced pressure state in the insulation storage chamber (20) may be filled into the insulation space (16) where the pressure reduction is completed.

[0031] Specifically, the liquefied gas storage tank (10) may include an insulating space (16) to minimize heat intrusion from the outside. An insulating material (G) may be filled inside the insulating space (16), and the inside of the insulating space (16) may be formed into a vacuum to improve insulation performance. At this time, vacuum does not mean only a complete vacuum, but can be understood as a very low pressure close to a vacuum. In the following, vacuum can be understood in the same way.

[0032] As described in the prior art, creating a vacuum in the insulation space (16) of a liquefied gas storage tank (10) while the insulation material (G) is filled is a very difficult task and takes a considerable amount of time. To solve this problem, a method may be used in which the insulation space (16) that is not filled with insulation material (G) is made vacuum, the insulation material (G) is depressurized in a separate insulation storage chamber (20) outside the liquefied gas storage tank (10), and then the depressurized insulation material (G) is transferred to the insulation space (16) to be filled.

[0033] At this time, the depressurized state of the insulation material (G) may be a state in which it is depressurized to a vacuum or a very low pressure close to a vacuum within the insulation material storage chamber (20). Additionally, the insulation material storage chamber (20) may be formed in multiple units so that the insulation material (G) can be depressurized gradually, and an agitator or the like may be provided inside to facilitate depressurization.

[0034] The insulating material (G) may be in the form of powder or beads. For example, the insulating material (G) may include HGMs (hollow glass microspheres). HGMs are fine (μm in size) spherical glass materials that are recently gaining popularity as insulating materials because they drastically reduce the thermal contact area between particles. When HGMs are used in a vacuum, heat transfer by natural convection within the material is suppressed, thereby ensuring superior thermal insulation.

[0035] The insulation material distribution device (40) is positioned at the inlet side of the liquefied gas storage tank (10) to efficiently fill the insulation material (G) within the insulation space (16) of the liquefied gas storage tank (10) without any empty space, and to distribute the insulation material (G) evenly into the insulation space (16). That is, the insulation material distribution device (40) enables the insulation material (G) to be evenly filled into the insulation space (16). In the present invention, the insulation material distribution device (40) is described as an example of distributing the insulation material (G) in a depressurized state within the insulation material storage chamber (20) into the insulation space (16), but the concept of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the insulation material distribution device (40) can also be utilized in cases where the insulation material (G) is not depressurized.

[0036]

[0037] <Insulation material distribution device (40)>

[0038] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the insulation material distribution device (40) of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the insulation material distribution device (40) of FIG. 2 from a different direction. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of section A of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are schematic partial cross-sectional views to explain a method for adjusting the distribution angle of the distribution wing (420) of the insulation material distribution device (40) of the present invention. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are illustrated by partially cutting the input pipe (410) to show the components of the insulation material distribution device (40) in detail. Hereinafter, the insulation material distribution device (40) of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 6.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the insulation material distribution device (40) includes an input pipe (410) into which an insulation material (G) is introduced; and a distribution wing (420) disposed inside the input pipe (410) to determine the distribution direction of the insulation material (G), wherein the distribution wing (420) is configured to allow one or more of the distribution direction and distribution angle to be adjusted.

[0040] The input pipe (410) can receive insulation material (G) to be filled into the insulation space (16). In the present invention, the input pipe (410) can receive insulation material (G) in a depressurized state from the insulation material storage chamber (20). One end of the input pipe (410) can be connected to a separate pipe connected to the insulation material storage chamber (20), and the other end of the input pipe (410) can be connected to the inlet of the liquefied gas storage tank (10).

[0041] At this time, the input pipe (410) may be provided as a bellows-shaped pipe. When connecting the liquefied gas storage tank (10), the insulation storage chamber (20), and the insulation distribution device (40), a height difference (step difference) may occur due to various reasons such as tidal differences and wind. Due to this height difference, the insulation filling work may not proceed efficiently, such as being interrupted. Therefore, to ensure stable insulation filling regardless of the occurrence of a height difference, the input pipe (410) is in the form of a bellows so that it can automatically adjust its length even if a height difference occurs. Although the input pipe (410) is depicted as having a portion cut in FIGS. 2 and 3, the input pipe (410) is provided as a pipe having a circular cross-section.

[0042] Inside the input pipe (410), a rotatable first body part (430) to which a distribution wing (420) is connected on one side and a second body part (440) disposed between the input pipe (410) and the first body part (430) may be disposed. The first body part (430) and the second body part (440) may be coupled so as to be rotatable relative to each other, but may be coupled so as not to be able to move relative to each other in the vertical direction.

[0043] Specifically, the first body part (430) is rotatably coupled to the second body part (440), and the distribution wing (420) is connected to the first body part (430), so that the distribution wing (420) rotates together with the first body part (430), thereby allowing the distribution direction to be adjusted. In this specification, the distribution direction is understood to mean the direction in which the other end of the distribution wing (420) faces, and the direction in which the insulation material (G) moves along the distribution wing (420) when the insulation material (G) is fed.

[0044] Meanwhile, the second body part (440) can move up and down relative to the input pipe (410), and the first body part (430) and the second body part (440) can be fixed in the up and down direction. By doing so, the second body part (440) and the second body part (440) can move up and down together relative to the input pipe (410), thereby allowing the height of the distribution wing (420) to be adjusted. That is, the height of the distribution wing (420) can be understood as being determined by the relative position of the distribution wing (420) within the input pipe (410).

[0045] Below, with reference to FIG. 4, a method for adjusting the distribution direction and height of the distribution wing (420) will be explained in more detail.

[0046] First, the distribution direction of the distribution wing (420) can be controlled by a rotary drive unit (460). The rotary drive unit (460) is provided to the second body part (440) and can rotate the first body part (430) relative to the second body part (440) by contacting the first body part (430).

[0047] Specifically, referring to FIG. 4, the rotational drive unit (460) may include a rotational movement member (461) disposed in a first groove (441) that is recessed outward from the inner surface of the second body part (440). At this time, a portion of the outer surface of the rotational movement member (461) may come into contact with a contact groove (431) formed in the first body part (430). Specifically, the rotational movement member (461) may be disposed in a position that comes into contact with the contact groove (431) that is recessed inward from the outer surface of the first body part (430), and may be connected to a first axis (X1) and rotate around the first axis (X1). At this time, the outer surface of the rotational movement member (461) and the surface of the contact groove (431) may be driven in the form of a friction wheel that transmits power due to frictional force. Accordingly, the first body part (430) can be rotated relative to the second body part (440) by rotation about the first axis (X1) of the rotational motion member (461).

[0048] At this time, the rotational motion member (461) and the first body part (430) may rotate in different directions. For example, when the rotational motion member (461) rotates clockwise around the first axis (X1), the first body part (430) may rotate counterclockwise around a separate rotation axis (not shown) extending parallel to the first axis (X1) at the center of the first body part (430). However, the rotation of the rotational motion member (461) and the first body part (430) is not limited to a friction wheel structure, and as another example, the rotational motion member (461) may be connected to the surface of the contact groove (431) by a gear.

[0049] The distribution direction of the distribution wing (420) by the rotary drive unit (460) as described above can be controlled throughout the process of filling the insulation space (16) with the insulation material (G). For example, the rotary drive unit (460) can be continuously rotated during the filling process of the insulation material (G), thereby causing the distribution wing (420) to rotate so that the insulation material (G) can be evenly filled into the insulation space (16).

[0050] Meanwhile, a height adjustment unit (470) for adjusting the height of the distribution wing (420) within the input pipe (410) may be provided. The height adjustment unit (470) is provided in the second body part (440) so that the second body part (440) can be moved up and down relative to the input pipe (410).

[0051] Specifically, referring to FIG. 4, the height adjustment part (470) may include a worm (471) disposed in a second groove (442) that is recessed inward from the outer surface of the second body part (440). At this time, the worm (471) may be rotated by engaging with a worm wheel (411) formed on the inner surface of the input pipe (410). Specifically, the worm (471) may rotate around a second axis (X2) by engaging with the worm wheel (411). As the worm (471) rotates around the second axis (X2), the second body part (440) may be moved up and down relative to the input pipe (410). At this time, the first body part (430) is fixed in the up and down direction relative to the second body part (440), so that the first body part (430) and the second body part (440) may move together. By this, the height of the distribution wing (420) connected to the first body part (430) can be adjusted.

[0052] Before the insulation material (G) is introduced into the input pipe (410), the height of the distribution wing (420) can be adjusted by the height adjustment unit (470), and during the filling process of the insulation material (G), the distribution direction can be adjusted by rotating the first body part (430) by the rotation drive unit (460) at the corresponding height.

[0053] Below, a method for adjusting the distribution angle is described with reference to FIGS. 5 and FIGS. 6.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an angle adjustment unit (450) for adjusting the distribution angle of a distribution wing (420) may include an up-and-down moving member (452) that can move up and down within an input pipe (410), an operating unit (451) for moving the up-and-down moving member (452), and a link member (453) connecting the up-and-down moving member (452) and the distribution wing (420). In this specification, the distribution angle (θ) may be understood to mean the angle of the distribution wing (420) relative to the second body part (440).

[0055] The vertical movement member (452) can be positioned inside the first body part (430) and can move up and down along a guide groove (432) formed inside the first body part (430). As shown in FIG. 5, when the vertical movement member (452) moves in the upward direction, the distribution angle (θ) increases. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the vertical movement member (452) moves in the downward direction, the distribution angle (θ) decreases.

[0056] Specifically, one end (420a) of the distribution wing (420) can be hinged to the first body part (430) within the input pipe (410) so that its position can be fixed. Additionally, the other end (420b) of the distribution wing (420) can be connected to the lower end (452b) of the vertical movement member (452) through a link member (453).

[0057] As shown in FIG. 6, when the vertical moving member (452) moves in the downward direction, the distribution wing (420) can be rotated counterclockwise (based on FIG. 6) with respect to one end (420a). By doing so, the distribution angle (θ) of the distribution wing (420) can be adjusted.

[0058] The operating part (451) is configured to move the vertical movement member (452) and is formed integrally with the vertical movement member (452), but may be positioned to protrude outward from the first body part (430). The distribution angle (θ) of the distribution wing (420) can be manually adjusted by moving the vertical movement member (452) through the operating part (451), but the concept of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0059] For example, before the insulation material (G) is introduced into the input pipe (410), the distribution angle (θ) of the distribution wing (420) can be adjusted by the angle adjustment unit (450), and while fixed at that angle, the distribution direction can be adjusted by rotating the first body part (430) by the rotation drive unit (460) during the filling process of the insulation material (G). As another example, the distribution angle (θ) may be changed during the filling process of the insulation material (G) to ensure smooth filling of the insulation material (G).

[0060] The insulation material distribution device (40) according to the present invention allows the distribution direction, height, and distribution angle of the distribution wing (420) to be adjustable, thereby enabling the insulation material (G) to be more easily filled into the insulation space (16) of a liquefied gas storage tank (10) of various shapes. In particular, when filling the insulation material (G) into the insulation space (16) of a spherical liquefied gas storage tank (10) that stores liquid hydrogen, the insulation material (G) can be evenly filled into the spherical insulation space (16) as the distribution direction, height, and distribution angle are adjusted.

[0061]

[0062] The foregoing description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present invention. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to explain, not limit, the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. An insulation material distribution device for distributing insulation material into an insulation space to fill the insulation material within the insulation space of a liquefied gas storage tank, Inlet pipe into which insulation material is introduced; and It includes a distribution wing disposed inside the above-mentioned input pipe to determine the distribution direction of the insulation material, and The above-mentioned distribution wing is configured to allow one or more of the distribution direction and distribution angle to be adjusted, in a thermal insulation distribution device.

2. In Claim 1, A rotatable first body part to which the distribution wing is connected on one side; A second body portion disposed between the above-mentioned input pipe and the above-mentioned first body portion; and An insulating material distribution device further comprising a rotary drive unit provided in the second body portion to rotate the first body portion relative to the second body portion.

3. In Claim 2, The above-mentioned rotary drive unit includes a rotary motion member that contacts a contact groove formed in the first body part and is rotatable about a first axis, and A thermal insulation material distribution device in which the first body part is rotated relative to the second body part by rotation of the above-mentioned rotary motion member about the first axis.

4. In Claim 1, An insulating material distribution device further comprising an angle adjustment unit for adjusting the distribution angle of the above-mentioned distribution wing.

5. In Claim 4, The above angle adjustment unit includes an up-and-down moving member capable of moving up and down within the input pipe, and One end of the distribution wing is fixed in position within the input pipe by a hinge connection, and the other end of the distribution wing is connected through the vertical movement member and the link member. An insulating material distribution device in which the distribution wing is rotated relative to the end by the vertical movement of the above-described vertical movement member, thereby adjusting the distribution angle of the distribution wing.

6. In Claim 1, An insulation material distribution device further comprising a height adjustment unit for adjusting the height of the distribution wing within the input pipe.

7. In Claim 6, The above height adjustment unit comprises a worm rotatable by engaging with a worm wheel formed in the input pipe, an insulation material distribution device.

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