Cryogenic Fluid Transfer via Gas Compression Pressure Differential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transferring cryogenic fluids, such as liquefied hydrogen, face challenges including the difficulty in creating the required pressure differential with centrifugal pumps, which can introduce heat and risk cavitation, and passive transfer methods that are slow and inefficient with significant gas losses.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a fluid-transfer circuit with a compressor to create a pressure differential between two tanks, allowing for efficient transfer of cryogenic fluids without the need for active liquid pumps, thereby minimizing heat introduction and gas losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a centrifugal pump is used to pressurize the cryogenic liquid, then the pressure differential can be overcome to enable transfer, but heat is added to the fluid and cavitation damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (gas phase cryogenic fluid or inert gas) to transfer energy and create pressure differential, avoiding direct mechanical contact between the pump and the liquid cryogenic fluid. The compressor compresses the gas phase which then pressurizes the liquid through a mixer or direct contact, eliminating cavitation and heat addition from pump operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pump system with a gas compression system. Instead of using a centrifugal pump to directly pressurize the liquid, a compressor pressurizes the gas phase which then transfers pressure to the liquid through pressure equalization or direct contact, substituting mechanical liquid handling with gas-phase compression.
2Ease of operation
If passive transfer using atmospheric heater is used, then the transfer can be carried out by pressure differential, but the process is slow and gas losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent actively changes the pressure parameter by using a compressor to compress the gas phase, creating a controlled pressure differential that drives faster liquid transfer. This replaces the slow passive pressure equalization from atmospheric heating with active pressure control, significantly increasing transfer speed while reducing gas losses through optimized pressure management.
3Stress or pressure
If atmospheric heater is used to vaporize liquid for pressurization, then pressure differential is created, but heat is injected into the system consuming liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the cryogenic fluid itself (liquid to gas) through compression and pressure equalization rather than external heating. The gas phase is compressed and then used to pressurize the liquid phase through controlled expansion or direct contact, creating pressure differential without external heat input and minimizing liquid consumption.
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 enables faster and more efficient transfer of cryogenic fluids, reducing the time and heat introduced during the process, while minimizing gas losses and improving the logistics efficiency of cryogenic fluid distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a first pipe connecting the upper portions of the first and second tanks and comprising at least one compressor configured to draw gas to be compressed from the second tank and to discharge the compressed gas into the first tank
Implementation Method 2
transferring liquid from the first tank to the second tank by way of a pressure differential between the two tanks
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and installation for transferring cryogenic fluid using a cryogenic-fluid transfer device comprising a first cryogenic-fluid distribution tank, said distribution tank storing a cryogenic fluid with a lower liquid phase and an upper gas phase, a second cryogenic receiving tank accommodating a cryogenic fluid comprising a lower liquid phase and an upper gas phase, a fluid transfer circuit connecting the first and the second tank, the transfer circuit comprising a first pipe connecting the upper parts of the first and second tanks and comprising at least one compressor configured to draw gas to be compressed from the receiving tank and to deliver the compressed gas into the distribution tank, the transfer circuit comprising a second pipe connecting the lower part of the distribution tank to the upper part of the receiving tank, the method comprising a step of pressurizing the distribution tank using the compressor via the first pipe and a step of transferring liquid from the distribution tank to the receiving tank by way of a pressure difference between the two tanks, the liquid being transferred into the upper part of the receiving tank.