Cryogenic Plug-In Coupling With Galvanic Separation and Vacuum Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation of cryogenic liquids faces challenges due to energy losses from evaporation and increased fire hazards caused by condensation of oxygen on non-insulated lines and couplings, as well as the need for galvanic separation to prevent electrical hazards during loading and unloading of ships.
Innovation Solution
A plug-in coupling with galvanic separation for vacuum-insulated cryogenic lines, featuring a coupling plug and socket with an electrically insulating seal, an insulating sleeve, and an insulating disc between attachment flanges, which ensures thermal insulation and electrical isolation, and additional seals to prevent medium escape and ensure leak-tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If non-insulated lines and couplings are used for loading cryogenic liquids, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but energy losses from evaporation increase and icing occurs during the loading process
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling employs a nested structure where an inner double-walled vacuum-insulated pipeline is inserted into an outer double-walled vacuum-insulated pipeline. The inner pipeline contains the cryogenic liquid conduit, while the outer pipeline provides additional thermal insulation and structural support. This nested configuration maintains vacuum insulation at the coupling point, preventing thermal bridging and reducing evaporation losses without requiring complex external insulation systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-insulated lines are used for loading colder media like liquid hydrogen or liquid helium, then the structure remains simple, but oxygen from ambient air condenses on the surface creating fire hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The nested double-walled vacuum-insulated structure creates a thermal barrier that prevents ambient air temperatures from reaching the cryogenic liquid surface. The vacuum layer between the inner and outer pipelines eliminates conductive and convective heat transfer, while the distal end seal ensures vacuum integrity at the coupling point. This prevents oxygen condensation on the liquid surface, eliminating fire hazards associated with cryogenic liquids like hydrogen and helium.
3Reliability
If galvanic separation is implemented using traditional insulating flanges for cryogenic lines, then electrical hazards are prevented, but thermal insulation is lost and icing occurs at the coupling point
Solution Approach 1:
An electrically insulating seal made of PTFE or similar material is positioned at the distal end of the inner pipeline, acting as an intermediary between the male and female coupling parts. This seal provides both electrical insulation to prevent galvanic currents and thermal insulation to maintain vacuum integrity. The insulating property prevents electrical hazards between ship and quay, while the thermal insulation property prevents cold bridges that would cause icing at the coupling point.
4Loss of energy
If the inner and outer pipelines are plugged one inside the other over a long predetermined length, then thermal insulation effectiveness increases, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is segmented into modular components: an inner double-walled vacuum-insulated pipeline with a distal end seal, and an outer double-walled vacuum-insulated pipeline. The inner pipeline can be independently assembled and then inserted into the outer pipeline. This segmentation allows for simplified assembly where components are pre-assembled as modules rather than requiring field assembly of long continuous structures, while maintaining effective thermal insulation through the vacuum layers.
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 reduces energy losses from evaporation and prevents electrical hazards by maintaining thermal and electrical insulation during the transportation of cryogenic liquids, ensuring safe and efficient loading and unloading operations.
Implementation Method 1
The seal on the distal end of the coupling plug is of electrically insulating form
Implementation Method 2
two double-walled vacuum-insulated pipelines are plugged one inside the other
Data Source
AI summary
A plug-in coupling has a coupling plug and a coupling socket. The coupling plug has an inner and an outer pipe piece and a first attachment flange and is connected to the first cryogenic line. The coupling socket has an inner and an outer pipe piece and a second attachment flange and is connected to the second cryogenic line. A circular annular seal on the distal end of the coupling plug is of electrically insulating form. An insulating sleeve is arranged on the outer pipe piece of the coupling plug. An insulating disc is situated between the first and the second attachment flange when the coupling plug has been inserted into the coupling socket. The plug-in coupling realizes a galvanic is separation between the coupling plug and the coupling socket.