Cryogenic Container Bypass Lines for Pressure Loss Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic containers face challenges in maintaining pressure and temperature levels during prolonged operation, leading to reduced hold time and inefficient energy use due to high pressure losses in heat exchanger systems.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates selectively connectable bypass lines to reduce pressure losses and dynamically adjust gas temperature, allowing for parallel operation of heat exchangers and utilizing a control unit with sensors to optimize mass flow through the bypass lines based on pressure and temperature readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cryogenic fluid is stored at high pressure to maintain minimum pressure at consumer, then pressure at consumer is sufficient, but hold time is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pressure management by switching between different operational modes: using heat exchangers when high pressure is needed, and bypassing them when pressure is sufficient. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain consumer pressure requirements while extending hold time by avoiding continuous high-pressure storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by selectively activating or deactivating heat exchangers based on real-time pressure and temperature conditions. By monitoring pressure at the consumer and adjusting the use of heat exchangers accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between maintaining minimum pressure and extending hold time.
2Temperature
If heat exchangers are used to heat cryogenic fluid to minimum temperature, then consumer temperature requirement is met, but pressure losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the heating function from the main fluid path by providing separate heat exchanger circuits. The heat exchangers can be selectively activated only when temperature compensation is needed, rather than being permanently integrated into the main flow path, thereby reducing continuous pressure losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary approach by introducing heat exchangers as separate thermal coupling elements rather than directly heating the main flow. These heat exchangers act as mediators that transfer thermal energy without creating significant pressure drops in the primary cryogenic fluid path.
3Stress or pressure
If pressure management system recirculates heated fluid through internal heat exchanger, then pressure in container is increased, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the pressure management function with the existing heat exchanger infrastructure. By using the same heat exchanger components for both heating and pressure management purposes, the system avoids adding separate complex pressure management equipment, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If bypass lines are used to reduce pressure losses, then hold time is extended, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass lines are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as pressure management pathways and as potential heating pathways when combined with the heat exchanger system. This universal design reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while achieving hold time extension.
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 approach extends the hold time of cryogenic containers by maintaining pressure above minimum levels while keeping the cryogenic fluid temperature low, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing energy input, allowing for flexible operation even under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an external heat exchanger is provided in order to heat the cryogenic fluid at least to this predetermined minimum temperature
Implementation Method 2
the internal heat exchanger is arranged within the cryogenic container for utilizing the cryogenic fluid located in the cryogenic container as a heat exchange medium
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system including a cryogenic container, in particular an LNG container or a hydrogen container, an external heat exchanger and an internal heat exchanger with a pressure management system. The system also includes at least one of the following selectively connectable bypass lines for the temporary reduction of pressure losses: a first bypass line for the first heat exchanger tube of the external heat exchanger; a second bypass line for the second heat exchanger tube; a third bypass line for the internal heat exchanger.