Cryogenic Storage Cavity With Isolated Heat-Exchange Channel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryogenic fluid storage technologies face challenges in maintaining low or zero boil-off rates due to parasitic heat leaks, requiring internal refrigeration systems and leading to inefficient fluid storage and increased maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A novel heat exchanger design that separates the heat exchanging channel from the fluid storage cavity, using a customizable channel configuration with insulation layers to control heat leaks, allowing for zero boil-off storage without internal refrigeration, and enabling flexible fluid storage solutions for aerospace and maritime applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If internal refrigeration systems are used to maintain low boil-off rates, then cryogenic fluid storage reliability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the internal refrigeration system from the cryogenic storage tank, extracting the problematic component that caused complexity and maintenance issues. Instead, it uses passive thermal insulation with vacuum jackets and reflective barriers to achieve the same cooling function without mechanical refrigeration equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system uses the cryogenic fluid's own cold temperature to pre-cool incoming fluid through heat exchange, creating a self-sustaining thermal management system. The vacuum insulation also passively maintains temperature without active refrigeration, allowing the system to serve itself without external mechanical intervention.
2Loss of energy
If internal refrigeration systems are installed in storage tanks, then boil-off control is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates internal refrigeration equipment from the tank design, removing complex mechanical components that would complicate manufacturing. The solution replaces active refrigeration with passive vacuum insulation and heat exchange between fluid streams, which are much easier to manufacture and assemble.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage tank and heat exchange functions are merged into a single integrated structure. The vacuum insulation layers and reflective barriers are incorporated directly into the tank walls, eliminating the need for separate refrigeration units and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining effective boil-off control.
3Ease of repair
If heat exchanging channel is separated from fluid cavity, then maintenance requirements are reduced, but heat exchange efficiency may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanging channel is extracted from direct contact with the stored fluid, separating it into a distinct parallel pathway. This allows the channel to be independently maintained or replaced without draining or handling the stored cryogenic fluid, significantly reducing maintenance complexity while the vacuum insulation minimizes thermal losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum insulation acts as an intermediary between the heat exchanging channel and the stored fluid cavity, allowing thermal energy to be transferred only when needed while maintaining physical separation. This mediator enables efficient heat exchange during filling operations while preventing continuous heat transfer that would reduce efficiency.
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 solution provides robust control over fluid cooling dynamics, reduces maintenance, and enables long-term storage of cryogenic fluids like liquid hydrogen, making it feasible for future space missions and sustainable fuel options for long-range electric aircraft and marine vessels.
Implementation Method 1
heat exchanging fluid flows through the heat exchanging channel thereby cooling fluid within the cavity
Implementation Method 2
an insulative layer is disposed between layers of the heat exchanging channel
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchanger comprises an inlet, an outlet, a heat exchanging channel, and an opening. The heat exchanging channel surrounds a cavity. The opening provides access to the cavity. The inlet is coupled to one end of the heat exchanging channel and the outlet is coupled to another end of the heat exchanging channel. The heat exchanging channel is isolated from the cavity. No access or passage is present between the heat exchanging channel and the cavity. During operation, heat exchanging fluid flows through the heat exchanging channel thereby cooling fluid within the cavity. The heat exchanging fluid never contacts the fluid within the cavity. In various embodiments, the heat exchanging channel has a single or stacked layer when viewed along a cross section. The heat exchanging channel has a spherical, cylindrical, or rectangular shape. In one embodiment, an insulative layer is disposed between layers of the heat exchanging channel.