Cryogenic Tank Valve Circuit for Evaporation Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tank systems for cryogenic fluids face design restrictions due to the need for extensive protection of components and shut-off valves, limiting flexibility and increasing evaporation losses and component size.
Innovation Solution
The tank system incorporates a valve circuit with check valves that allow the heating element to be outside the protected area, featuring controllable switching valves and pressure sensors to manage extraction lines based on pressure thresholds, reducing the protected area and minimizing evaporation losses by prioritizing gas or liquid removal depending on pressure conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve circuit is arranged on the consumer side of the heating element, then the heating element can be protected together with the shut-off valve, but the protected area becomes larger and the system flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate protected areas: one for the heating element and another for the valve circuit with shut-off valve. This segmentation allows each component to be protected independently, reducing the overall protected area size while maintaining safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve circuit is extracted from the protected area and relocated to a position where it can be protected separately. This extraction reduces the size of the protected area while ensuring that critical components remain protected through dedicated protection measures.
2Reliability
If the valve circuit is arranged on the consumer side of the heating element, then components can be protected, but additional shut-off valves are required and component size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element serves multiple functions: it heats the cryogenic fluid during normal operation and simultaneously acts as a shut-off mechanism in emergency situations. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional shut-off valves, reducing component count while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding redundant shut-off valves, the system discards the conventional approach of multiple valves and recovers safety functionality through the heating element's dual role as both heater and emergency shut-off device.
3Stress or pressure
If cryogenic liquid is continuously removed to maintain pressure, then container pressure is controlled, but evaporation losses increase during idle periods
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure control system operates periodically rather than continuously, adjusting the removal rate of cryogenic liquid based on real-time pressure measurements. This periodic action maintains pressure control while minimizing unnecessary evaporation losses during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback mechanism using pressure sensors continuously monitors container pressure and adjusts the removal rate accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures pressure is maintained within acceptable ranges while minimizing energy losses by removing fluid only when necessary.
4Stress or pressure
If check valves are installed in extraction lines, then overpressure can be relieved by backflow, but the valve circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valves are designed to automatically respond to pressure conditions without requiring external control systems. When overpressure occurs, the check valves self-activate to allow backflow, providing overpressure protection through passive, self-service operation that minimizes circuit complexity.
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
This configuration simplifies the tank system design, reduces the number and size of protected components, and minimizes evaporation losses by strategically managing the removal of cryogas and cryogenic liquid, allowing for more flexible use and extended idle periods.
Implementation Method 1
the feed line (11) is routed through a heating element (12), in which the cryogenic two-phase mixture (3) is vaporized
Implementation Method 2
the valve circuit for the first extraction line (7) has a check valve (33), which leaves it open in the direction of the container (2) when it is closed in the direction of the consumer (M)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tank system (16) and a system (40) comprising: a cryogenic container (2) for receiving a two-phase mixture (3) of cryogenic gas (4) and cryogenic liquid (5), a feed line (11) for supplying a consumer (M) from at least one extraction line (7, 9) extending from the cryogenic container (2), a heating element (12) through which the feed line (11) is guided, an electrically controllable valve circuit (27) for controlled switching on and off of the supply to the consumer (M), and an electrical control (31b) controlling the valve circuit (27), wherein the valve circuit (27) is arranged between the cryogenic container (2) and the heating element (12).