Cryogenic Tank Depressurization Module for LNG Vehicle Emission Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing use of liquefied gaseous energy sources, such as LNG, for vehicles leads to evaporation and pressure increases in cryogenic tanks, necessitating safety valve releases, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions and safety risks, with current solutions either requiring filling stations or atmospheric purging, which are not environmentally or economically viable for widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A modular system for depressurizing and storing a portion of the gaseous layer from cryogenic tanks, comprising a sealed assembly with an inlet, heater, damping buffer tank, compressor, and storage means, allowing controlled gas collection and storage without atmospheric release, suitable for use on various vehicles and adaptable for both active and passive modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety valve is used to release overpressure gas from cryogenic tanks, then tank integrity is preserved, but greenhouse gas emissions and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention captures the harmful overpressure gas that would otherwise be vented to atmosphere and converts it into a useful resource by compressing and storing it in high-pressure cylinders. The gas is transformed from a waste product requiring disposal into a storable energy carrier that can be reused, thereby eliminating emissions while maintaining tank safety
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the overpressure gas through atmospheric venting, the system recovers it by routing it through a compressor and storage means. The gas is captured at the source, compressed to high pressure, and stored for future utilization, preventing both environmental harm and resource waste
2Reliability
If atmospheric purging is used to maintain tank pressure below maximum operating pressure, then tank integrity is maintained, but environmental and economic viability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the harmful effect of pressure buildup into a beneficial resource by capturing the vented gas and converting it into storable high-pressure gas. This eliminates the need for atmospheric purging while creating a valuable byproduct that can be reused, making the solution both environmentally friendly and economically viable
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes the tank pressure management self-sufficient by capturing and storing the own vented gas for future use. The stored high-pressure gas can be reused to pre-charge the tank or maintain pressure, eliminating the need for external atmospheric purging operations
3Object-generated harmful factors
If gas is compressed and stored in high-pressure cylinders, then gas emissions are eliminated and gas can be reused, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs multiple functions through a single integrated setup: it captures overpressure gas, compresses it to high pressure, stores it in cylinders, and makes it available for reuse. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex systems into one unified device, reducing overall complexity while achieving emission elimination and gas recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor acts as an intermediary device that bridges the low-pressure vented gas from the tank and the high-pressure storage cylinders. This intermediate compression step enables the transformation and storage of gas in a manageable way, simplifying the overall process while eliminating emissions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively manages gaseous emissions by collecting and storing excess gas, reducing environmental impact and safety risks, while maintaining tank integrity, and enabling future utilization of the gas, thus addressing the limitations of existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a heater (4010) connected to said input E of the module
Implementation Method 2
a compressor (4002), connected to said buffer tank (4004)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a module (400) for depressurising and storing a portion of a gaseous layer (g) originating from at least one cryogenic tank (100, 111, 112). The invention also relates to a system for carrying out such a module (400).