Cryogenic Storage Pressure Control via Segmented Valve Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage systems for cryogenic media like hydrogen face challenges in efficiently controlling internal pressure during medium removal, requiring complex and costly configurations with controllable three-way valves.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with separate gas and liquid removal lines, each with its own shut-off valve, and an in-tank heat exchanger to regulate pressure by controlling the flow of heated medium back into the container, eliminating the need for a controllable three-way valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a controllable three-way valve is used to regulate pressure during medium removal, then pressure control capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the medium removal system into two separate lines: a gas removal line with a first shut-off valve and a liquid removal line with a second shut-off valve. This segmentation eliminates the need for a complex three-way valve while maintaining pressure control capability through independent control of gas and liquid removal flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the pressure control function from the three-way valve and distributes it across two simpler shut-off valves positioned at different locations in the system. The first shut-off valve is positioned upstream of the heat exchanger and the second shut-off valve is positioned downstream, allowing independent control of medium removal without requiring a complex single valve.
2Reliability
If a controllable three-way valve is used to regulate pressure during medium removal, then pressure control capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the medium removal system into two separate lines: a gas removal line with a first shut-off valve and a liquid removal line with a second shut-off valve. This segmentation eliminates the need for a complex three-way valve while maintaining pressure control capability through independent control of gas and liquid removal flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the expensive three-way valve with two simpler, more cost-effective shut-off valves. These standard shut-off valves are cheaper to manufacture and install, reducing overall system cost while achieving the same pressure control function through a distributed valve arrangement.
3Device complexity
If medium is removed through a single line with three-way valve, then system simplicity is maintained, but pressure regulation flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the medium removal system into two separate lines: a gas removal line with a first shut-off valve and a liquid removal line with a second shut-off valve. This segmentation eliminates the need for a complex three-way valve while maintaining pressure control capability through independent control of gas and liquid removal flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional removal system where the first shut-off valve controls gas removal and the second shut-off valve controls liquid removal. This universal approach allows the system to handle different medium states independently, providing flexibility in pressure regulation without requiring a complex three-way valve.
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 configuration allows for simple and cost-effective pressure regulation within the storage container by controlling the removal of hydrogen in either liquid or gaseous form, or both, thereby maintaining optimal internal pressure without the need for complex three-way valve systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first or external heat exchanger, fluidically connected to the gas removal line and arranged outside of the storage container, for heating the cryogenic medium
Implementation Method 2
a second or internal or in-tank heat exchanger, fluidically connected to the gas removal line and arranged downstream of the first heat exchanger and inside the storage container, for heating the liquid medium in the storage container
Implementation Method 3
heating the removed medium outside the storage container and to feed a partial stream of the heated medium back into the storage container again, so that the medium around the returned partial stream is likewise heated in the container and therefore vaporized
Data Source
AI summary
A storage system for storing a cryogenic medium, the storage system including a storage container for receiving the cryogenic medium. A gas removal line is configured to remove gaseous cryogenic medium from the storage container. A first heat exchanger is fluidically connected to the gas removal line and arranged outside of the storage container to heating the cryogenic medium. A second or in-tank heat exchanger is fluidically connected to the gas removal line and arranged downstream of the first heat exchanger and inside the storage container to heat liquid cryogenic medium in the storage container. A liquid removal line is configured to remove the liquid cryogenic medium from the storage container. A controllable first shut-off valve is arranged in the gas removal line, and a controllable second shut-off valve is arranged in the liquid removal line.