Cryogenic Loading Arm Transfer Line for Wind-Resistant Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transfer devices for fluids, particularly cryogenic fluids, face challenges with mechanical damage due to high wind loads on flexible lines, which are necessary for accommodating ships of varying sizes and heights, and require improved mechanical flexibility and pressure handling.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device comprising rigid and flexible transfer line sections, where the rigid sections form loading arms and branch into multiple flexible lines, allowing for higher mechanical flexibility, smaller bending radii, and increased working pressures, while vacuum insulation minimizes evaporation and the use of pivot joints enables compact folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If long flexible lines are used to connect ships of different sizes and heights with the reservoir, then adaptability to different ship configurations is improved, but the lines are exposed to significant wind loads that can cause mechanical damages
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer line is divided into multiple rigid sections connected by flexible joints, rather than using a single long flexible line. Each rigid section is shorter and more stable, reducing wind load exposure while the flexible joints provide the necessary adaptability for different ship configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Flexibility is concentrated at specific joint locations between rigid sections, rather than being distributed throughout the entire transfer line. This allows the rigid sections to resist wind loads effectively while the localized flexible joints provide the required adaptability.
2Device complexity
If a single flexible transfer line is used, then the structure is simple, but larger bending radii are required which increases the area occupied on the mooring area
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer line is segmented into multiple rigid sections with flexible joints, allowing each section to have smaller bending radii. This enables the overall structure to occupy less area on the mooring area while maintaining the necessary flexibility for operation.
3Productivity
If flexible transfer lines with larger diameter are used to handle high flow rates, then productivity is improved, but the lines become more susceptible to wind loads and mechanical damages
Solution Approach 1:
The high flow rate capability is distributed across multiple parallel rigid sections rather than concentrated in a single large-diameter flexible line. This segmentation allows each section to have smaller diameter and be more resistant to wind loads, while the combined capacity maintains high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple smaller rigid sections are combined in parallel to achieve the same flow capacity as a single large flexible line, while benefiting from the reduced wind load susceptibility and increased mechanical strength of the rigid segmented structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the transfer device is designed to remain extended for operational readiness, then adaptability to ship movements is maintained, but the device occupies excessive area when idle
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device incorporates movable rigid sections connected by flexible joints that can dynamically adjust their configuration. When idle, the sections can be folded or retracted to minimize area occupation, while during operations they can extend and position themselves to maintain adaptability to ship movements.
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 enhanced mechanical flexibility, higher working pressures, and reduced evaporation risks, allowing for safe and efficient transfer of cryogenic fluids by maintaining acceptable bending radii and compact storage, thus addressing the limitations of existing devices.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible transfer line sections connect the rigid transfer line sections. Each rigid transfer line section extends along at least one loading arm section
Implementation Method 2
vacuum insulated transfer lines are particularly advantageous when the transfer device is arranged for transferring cryogenic fluids
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
A transfer device for transferring flowable material between a first reservoir and a second reservoir, is suggested. The transfer device (100) comprises a loading device (106) mounted on a support structure (101). The loading device (106) includes several loading arm sections (103-105) mechanically connected by pivot joints (113,116,118). The transfer device further comprises a transfer line (122) connecting the first and second reservoir. The transfer line (122) is composed of rigid and flexible transfer line sections (123-126, 133). The flexible transfer line sections connect the rigid transfer line sections. At an upstream end at least one rigid transfer line section branches into several flexible transfer lines, which are fluidly merged into the next rigid transfer line in flow direction.