Cryogenic Tank Insulation Blocks with Deformable Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current insulating materials for cryogenic tanks lack imperviousness and mechanical strength to withstand thermal cycles, limiting their use to only a few materials that are effective for both thermal insulation and preventing cryogenic gas pumping.
Innovation Solution
A system using blocks of insulating materials with a deformable impervious wall, where the blocks are actuated to form a continuous layer at low temperature, separating the impermeability function from thermal insulation, allowing non-impervious materials like polyetherimide, polyimides, and polymethacrylimides to be used, and reducing stress through specific edge contact and curvature designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional rigid cellular foam materials (PVC, PU) are used for thermal insulation, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but imperviousness is insufficient allowing cryogenic gas pumping
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the insulation function into two separate components: a rigid cellular foam insulating material for thermal insulation and a separate deformable impervious wall for preventing gas pumping. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its primary function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable impervious wall acts as an intermediary layer between the cryogenic fluid and the insulating material. It prevents direct contact between the cryogenic gas and the porous insulating material, thereby eliminating gas pumping while maintaining thermal insulation performance.
2Loss of energy
If insulating materials are used to maintain liquid state, then thermal insulation is improved, but mechanical strength is insufficient causing cracking under thermal cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The impervious wall is designed to be deformable rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adapt to thermal expansion and contraction of the insulating material during filling and discharging cycles. This dynamic behavior prevents stress concentration and cracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable impervious wall serves as a cushioning layer that absorbs and distributes thermal stresses before they can reach the insulating material. This pre-protection prevents cracking in the insulating material during thermal cycles.
3Reliability
If a limited number of specialized materials are used to satisfy both imperviousness and mechanical strength, then reliability is improved, but material selection versatility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the insulation system into two independent components with distinct functions, the system allows for versatile selection of insulating materials based solely on thermal insulation requirements, while the impervious wall handles the demanding requirements of gas prevention and mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable impervious wall serves multiple functions: preventing gas pumping, accommodating thermal expansion, and providing mechanical support. This multi-functionality allows a wide variety of insulating materials to be used without compromising system reliability.
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
Enables the use of a variety of insulating materials, reducing the risk of cracking and improving thermal insulation while maintaining impermeability, by separating the functions of impermeability and thermal insulation, and reducing stress through strategic block design and actuation.
Implementation Method 1
blocks of insulating materials disposed, at a low temperature, in a substantially abutting manner on one face of the structure of said tank... a first part of the blocks being, at ambient temperature, in contact with the face of the structure and away from the deformable impervious wall, the second part of the block being, at ambient temperature, in contact with the deformable impervious wall and away from the face of the structure
Data Source
AI summary
Cryogenic tank insulation system comprising blocks of insulating materials placed, at low temperature, so as to be essentially touching on one face of the structure of said tank, the blocks being placed between said face of the structure and an impervious deformable wall which defines at least one portion of the volume where the cryogenic fluid is stored and is actuated by return means for returning it to the face of the structure, characterized in that a first portion of the blocks is at ambient temperature in contact with the face of the structure and away from the impervious deformable wall, a second portion of the blocks being at ambient temperature, in contact with the impervious deformable wall and away from the face of the structure, the edges of the blocks of the first portion; and those of the second portion being, at ambient temperature, in partial contact and having complementary shapes so as to form an essentially continuous layer of insulating material at low temperature.