Cryogenic Pressure Relief Valve With Thermal Break Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in designing vessels for storing liquid hydrogen fuel is to minimize heat exchange with the surrounding environment, prevent cavitation, and use hydrogen-compatible materials that maintain mechanical properties under cryogenic conditions.
Innovation Solution
A pressure relief valve for a cryogenic vessel is designed with valve walls that define a fluid flow passageway and a thermal conductive path, where at least a portion of this path comprises a thermally insulative portion, such as PEEK, to reduce heat transfer and maintain low temperatures within the vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure relief valve is installed in a cryogenic vessel, then pressure control is improved, but heat transfer from the surrounding environment to the vessel interior increases
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal break component is introduced as an intermediary element within the pressure relief valve assembly. This thermal break serves as a mediator that interrupts the direct thermal conduction path between the warmer exterior environment and the cryogenic interior, allowing the pressure relief valve to fulfill its pressure control function while minimizing heat transfer into the vessel.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief valve incorporates composite construction with materials of different thermal properties. The valve assembly includes components made from materials with low thermal conductivity (such as certain plastics or composites) combined with necessary metallic components, creating a composite structure that provides both mechanical functionality and thermal insulation.
2Temperature
If thermal insulation is added to the pressure relief valve, then heat transfer is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal insulation function is merged with the pressure relief valve structure itself rather than being implemented as a separate, additional component. The thermal break is integrated into the valve body or seating arrangement, combining the pressure control mechanism with thermal management in a single unified assembly, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief valve assembly is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: pressure control through the relief mechanism and thermal insulation through the integrated thermal break. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate insulation components, reducing device complexity while achieving both objectives.
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 inclusion of a thermally insulative portion in the pressure relief valve effectively reduces heat transfer between the cryogenic vessel and the surrounding environment, helping to maintain the low temperature and secure storage of hydrogen fuel.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of the thermal conductive path comprises a thermally insulative portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A pressure relief valve (200) for a cryogenic vessel, the pressure relief valve comprising valve walls (201) defining a fluid flow passageway through the pressure relief valve, wherein the valve walls define a thermal conductive path between an interior of the cryogenic vessel and a surrounding environment, wherein at least a portion of the thermal conductive path comprises a thermally insulative portion.