Cryogenic Storage Tank with Removable Sensor to Prevent Ice Formation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic storage tanks face issues with ice formation in fluid sensors at sub-arctic temperatures, leading to incorrect pressure readings and the need to thaw the entire tank to remove ice, disrupting operations.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic storage device design featuring an inner and outer tank with a thermal insulative space, a removably disposed capacitance sensor, and a collar assembly that allows for ice thawing without warming the entire device, using a fluid sensor with a vacuum port and air compressor to maintain vacuum integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fluid sensor is fixedly coupled to the sensing unit in the vacuumed inner space, then the pressure detection function is maintained, but ice formation occurs in the sensor tube causing incorrect readings
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is divided into separate components: the sensing unit remains in the vacuumed inner space while the fluid sensor tube is made removable. This segmentation allows the sensor tube to be extracted and thawed independently when ice forms, preventing incorrect pressure readings without disrupting the entire cryogenic storage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid sensor coupling is changed from fixed to dynamic/removable. The sensor tube can now be dynamically adjusted between inserted and removed states based on operational conditions, enabling ice removal by simple extraction rather than requiring system-wide thawing procedures.
2Ease of repair
If the entire cryogenic storage tank is warmed to thaw ice in the sensor, then the ice is removed, but the items stored in the tank are disrupted and must be relocated
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid sensor tube is extracted as a separate removable component from the cryogenic storage tank. When ice forms in the sensor, only the sensor tube itself needs to be removed and thawed externally, while the main storage tank and its contents remain undisturbed and continue operating at cryogenic temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into the removable sensor assembly and the permanent storage tank. This allows independent maintenance of the sensor component without affecting the storage function, enabling ice removal from the sensor while the tank remains in service.
3Productivity
If a direct heat source is applied to remove ice from the sensor, then the ice melts quickly, but the ice instantly refreezes due to the cryogenic environment
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor tube is extracted from the cryogenic environment before applying heat. By removing the sensor tube from the cold environment, the melted ice does not immediately refreeze, allowing for complete thawing and clearing of the sensor passage without the constant refreezing cycle that would occur with in-situ heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable sensor tube acts as an intermediary that can be taken out of the harsh cryogenic environment for maintenance. This allows thermal processing (thawing) to be performed in a controlled external environment rather than attempting to create localized heat zones within the cryogenic tank.
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 continuous operation by allowing ice formation in the fluid sensor to be thawed without shutting down the entire tank, maintaining the thermal insulative space and preventing false pressure readings.
Implementation Method 1
The inner tank is spaced apart from the outer tank so as to form a thermal insulative space. The cryogenic liquid is thermally insulated by the thermal insulative space.
Implementation Method 2
The fluid sensor is disposed in a vacuumed inner space of a storage tank
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic storage device includes a storage tank having an inner tank, an intermediate tank and an outer tank spaced apart from each other so as to define a fluid reservoir for holding a cryogenic liquid and a thermal insulative space bounding the fluid reservoir. A top cover closes the open top. An inlet supplies the cryogenic liquid to the fluid reservoir. A fluid sensor is configured to detect a pressure within the cryogenic storage device and is removably disposed within the fluid reservoir so as to allow an ice formation to be thawed without having to thaw the entire cryogenic storage device.