Cryogenic Hydrogen Storage With Radiation Shielding and Cold Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cryogenic liquid storage containers face inefficiencies in thermal insulation, leading to increased pressure and hydrogen loss due to heat ingress, which reduces the non-loss hydrogen storage period.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic liquid storage apparatus with an inner container surrounded by an outer container, featuring a radiation-blocking member and vacuum thermal insulation layer, which blocks radiant heat and transfers cold energy to maintain thermal insulation and minimize pressure increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If thermal insulation performance is improved by adding insulation layers, then heat ingress is reduced, but device complexity and space utilization are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the cold energy of liquid hydrogen that would otherwise be wasted during vaporization and discharge processes. By positioning heat transfer members in contact with the inner container, the system captures cold energy from the liquid hydrogen, transforming this potentially harmful energy loss into a beneficial cooling effect that reduces heat ingress and extends storage period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces heat transfer members as intermediary elements between the liquid hydrogen and the outer container environment. These members facilitate thermal energy transfer from the liquid hydrogen to the surrounding structure, acting as a mediator that converts the cold energy of the cryogenic liquid into a useful thermal management mechanism without requiring additional active cooling systems.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If pressure increase is minimized by improving thermal insulation, then hydrogen storage period is extended, but spatial utilization and design flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the liquid hydrogen to serve itself by utilizing its own cold energy to cool the heat transfer members and reduce heat ingress. The liquid hydrogen's inherent low temperature is leveraged to create a self-cooling mechanism that actively manages thermal energy without requiring external power sources or complex insulation structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the storage system by introducing heat transfer members that alter the heat flow paths and thermal conductivity distribution. This allows dynamic thermal management where the thermal characteristics can be optimized for different operating conditions, extending storage period without permanently increasing structural complexity.
3Loss of substance
If vaporization of liquid hydrogen is suppressed, then hydrogen loss is minimized, but thermal management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of vaporization (which represents heat ingress and hydrogen loss) into a beneficial cooling mechanism. The vaporization process and associated heat transfer are harnessed to pre-cool incoming liquid hydrogen and cool the heat transfer members, reducing the overall thermal load and minimizing net hydrogen loss.
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
Enhances thermal insulation performance, reduces hydrogen discharge, and extends the non-loss hydrogen storage period by suppressing temperature and pressure increases.
Implementation Method 1
blocking an inflow of radiant heat into an inner container from an outer container
Implementation Method 2
transferring cold energy of a cryogenic liquid, which moves along an extraction pipe, to a portion between the inner container and the outer container
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic liquid storage apparatus can include a storage container including an inner container configured to accommodate a cryogenic liquid, and an outer container configured to surround a periphery of the inner container, an extraction pipe having one end connected to the inner container, and the other end exposed to the outside of the outer container, the extraction pipe can be configured to selectively extract the cryogenic liquid to the outside, and a radiation-blocking member can be connected to the extraction pipe, configured to transfer and receive heat to and from the extraction pipe, and provided between the inner container and the outer container, thereby obtaining an advantageous effect of improving efficiency in storing hydrogen.