Cryogenic Fluid Transfer Using Pressure-Based Density Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transferring liquefied cryogenic fluids like liquid hydrogen face challenges in accurately measuring mass flow due to the reliance on volumetric flow meters, which are expensive and prone to errors from bubbles, while Coriolis mass flow meters are costly and difficult to install in vacuum environments.
Innovation Solution
Determine the density of the fluid before pressurization using a pressure measurement, apply a formula or table to calculate density, and correct the volume flow rate to obtain accurate mass measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Coriolis mass flow meters are used to measure mass flow directly, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase due to vacuum enclosure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using a volumetric flow meter combined with density calculation from pressure measurements. This mediator method avoids direct mass flow measurement complexity while achieving accurate mass flow determination through the relationship: mass flow = volumetric flow × density (calculated from pressure).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical Coriolis mass flow meter system with a combination of volumetric flow measurement and pressure-based density calculation. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical mass flow sensing while achieving equivalent measurement accuracy through computational methods.
2Measurement precision
If Coriolis mass flow meters are used for mass flow measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs cheaper volumetric flow meters instead of expensive Coriolis mass flow meters, combining them with simple pressure sensors and computational density calculation. This approach uses lower-cost components that achieve the same functional result through a different measurement paradigm.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pressure measurement as an intermediary to determine density, which then serves as a multiplier for volumetric flow to obtain mass flow. This intermediary calculation method replaces expensive direct mass flow sensing with a combination of cheaper measurements and computation.
3Ease of manufacture
If turbine-type flow meters are used for volumetric flow measurement, then cost is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to bubble interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pressure measurement feedback to calculate real-time density values. This feedback mechanism compensates for volumetric flow measurement errors caused by bubbles, as the pressure-based density calculation provides a reference that corrects the volumetric flow data to accurately derive mass flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pressure measurement as an intermediary parameter to correct volumetric flow readings. By measuring pressure and calculating density, the system mediates between the imperfect volumetric flow measurement and the required accurate mass flow determination, compensating for bubble interference effects.
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 precise mass measurement of liquefied cryogenic fluids by correcting volume flow readings with density calculations, overcoming installation and cost issues of existing flow meters.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor for the fluid in the tank
Implementation Method 2
a volume flow meter
Implementation Method 3
the density of the fluid drawn off is determined from the pressure value of the fluid measured by the pressure sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for transferring liquefied cryogenic fluid, for example liquid hydrogen, from a cryogenic tank (1) containing liquefied cryogenic fluid having a gas phase in equilibrium with the liquid phase, the transfer of fluid being carried out towards a receiver at least partly by pressure difference between the tank (1) and the fluid receiver, the method comprising a step of pressurizing the fluid contained in the tank (1), a step of withdrawing liquid from the pressurized tank, a step of measuring the volume flow rate of withdrawn fluid, a step of determining the mass of withdrawn liquid from the measured volume flow rate of withdrawn fluid and the density of the withdrawn fluid, the density of the withdrawn fluid being determined from the pressure of the fluid in the tank (1) measured before the pressurization step.