Cryogenic Storage Pipes in Outer Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermally insulated containers for cryogenically liquefied gases face issues with high thermal cycling stresses at weld seams, leading to mechanical stress and potential hairline cracks, making vacuum maintenance difficult and allowing heat transfer, which increases operational costs and requires external cooling.
Innovation Solution
The device surrounds pipes and measuring lines with a pressure-resistant cylindrical perforated plate, uses a cup with vacuum-insulated panels, and fills the space between the container and cup with reflective foils to minimize heat input, eliminating the need for vacuum-tight welding and reducing thermal bridges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional double-walled vacuum insulated containers are used, then thermal insulation is achieved, but high temperature fluctuations cause high mechanical stresses at welds leading to hairline cracks and vacuum loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes pipes from the vacuum space entirely by installing them in the outer wall of the container. This extraction eliminates the thermal bridge effect through pipes and prevents temperature fluctuations at weld locations, thereby resolving the contradiction between thermal insulation and weld integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary insulating structure in the form of a support ring with insulation material between the pipe penetration area and the inner vacuum wall. This intermediary element reduces heat transfer to the pipe region and minimizes temperature fluctuations at welds, maintaining both thermal insulation and weld reliability.
2Ease of operation
If pipes are installed in the evacuated shell space, then discharge and filling functions are achieved, but heat transfer from the outside to the liquid or gas in the pipes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts pipes from the vacuum space and relocates them to the outer wall, eliminating their presence in the thermal insulation zone. This prevents heat transfer through the pipes while maintaining their discharge and filling functions through the outer wall configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions pipe installation from a radial configuration (through the vacuum space) to a tangential configuration (in the outer wall). This dimensional change allows pipes to maintain their functional orientation while being positioned outside the thermal insulation zone, preventing heat transfer.
3Strength
If vacuum-tight welding is performed at pipe penetration points, then structural integrity is achieved, but production complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes pipes from the inner vacuum wall where complex vacuum-tight welding would be required. By installing pipes in the outer wall, the design eliminates the need for complex vacuum-tight welding while maintaining structural integrity through simpler welding configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the container wall into distinct functional zones: an outer wall for pipe installation and an inner vacuum wall for thermal insulation. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently, with the outer wall handling mechanical connections and the inner wall maintaining vacuum integrity, thereby reducing production complexity.
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
This design minimizes heat input, reduces operational costs, and eliminates the need for external cooling by isolating the warmest gas phase near the pipes, ensuring efficient cryogenic gas storage and transport while simplifying production and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the outer wall (102) of which is provided with a vacuum space (104) between the outer and inner wall
Implementation Method 2
a convection cell is formed, whereby the warmed cryogenically liquefied gas sinks again around the centrally arranged measuring lines or pipes
Implementation Method 3
the space between the container and the cup is filled with reflective foil, particularly the space between the cup side or bottom and the container
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The device has thermally isolated containers (1) with pipe and measuring lines (4) and an insulating casing or insulating shroud. The pipe and measuring lines are surrounded by pressure resistance (14) within the containers. The pressure resistance is extended up to maximum filling height of the container.