Cryogenic Vessel Multilayer Composite Wall Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double-walled cryogenic fluid storage tanks face issues with sealing, mechanical strength, and thermal insulation, particularly in maintaining a vacuum and withstanding dynamic forces during the transport of cryogenic fluids.
Innovation Solution
The tank features a multilayer structure comprising a metallized film or fabric, laminated carbon or glass fiber layers, polyurethane foam or balsa wood insulation, and additional reinforcing elements, with a cylindrical shape and support feet for horizontal positioning, enhancing sealing, mechanical resistance, and thermal insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple single-layer wall structure is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the thermal insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by constructing the outer wall with multiple layers including metallized film, carbon fiber laminates, polyurethane foam insulation, and balsa wood core. This multi-material composite structure provides superior thermal insulation performance compared to single-layer walls while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized layering processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer wall is segmented into distinct functional layers: a metallized film layer for radiation barrier, carbon fiber laminate layers for structural strength, polyurethane foam for thermal insulation, and balsa wood core for additional insulation and structural support. Each layer performs a specific function, and the segmentation allows optimization of each component for its particular purpose.
2Strength
If the wall thickness is increased to improve mechanical strength, then the mechanical resistance is improved, but the mass of the tank increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials particularly carbon fiber laminates embedded in resin that provide high mechanical strength-to-weight ratio. The carbon fiber layers offer exceptional tensile strength and structural rigidity while adding minimal mass compared to traditional metal reinforcements, thus improving mechanical resistance without significantly increasing tank mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural reinforcement is applied locally where needed rather than uniformly throughout the entire tank structure. The carbon fiber laminate layers are strategically positioned to provide strength at critical stress points while maintaining lighter weight in non-critical areas, optimizing the balance between mechanical resistance and mass.
3Loss of energy
If a vacuum is created in the inter-wall space to improve thermal insulation, then the thermal insulation performance is improved, but the sealing reliability becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The metallized film layer serves dual purposes: it acts as a radiation barrier for thermal insulation and simultaneously functions as a sealing layer to maintain the vacuum in the inter-wall space. The metallized film's continuous structure provides reliable sealing while the vacuum eliminates conduction and convection heat transfer paths, achieving superior thermal insulation with maintained sealing integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum space acts as an intermediary thermal barrier between the inner and outer walls. By removing air molecules through vacuum, the patent eliminates gaseous heat transfer mechanisms (conduction and convection), leaving only radiation as the heat transfer path, which is then blocked by the metallized film, achieving exceptional thermal insulation performance.
4Loss of energy
If traditional thermal insulation materials are used, then the thermal insulation is provided, but the mechanical resistance to dynamic forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure where polyurethane foam and balsa wood provide thermal insulation while carbon fiber laminate layers embedded in resin provide mechanical resistance to dynamic forces. The carbon fiber reinforcement is integrated within the insulation structure itself, creating a unified composite that simultaneously delivers thermal insulation and structural strength without requiring separate components.
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 provides improved vacuum maintenance, mechanical resistance to dynamic forces, and efficient thermal insulation while maintaining a low mass, ensuring reliable transport of cryogenic fluids.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum at the inter-wall level
Implementation Method 2
A layer of thermal insulation and/or perlite is usually placed in the inter-wall space between the inner and outer walls
Implementation Method 3
a first watertight layer comprising a metallized film or fabric
Implementation Method 4
a third layer comprising a thickness of thermal insulation of the polyurethane foam type and/or balsa wood
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7~10
AI summary
The tank has an outer wall (3) including a multi-layer structure comprising a sealed layer (13) with a metalized film or fabric or aluminum partition, a layer (23) with thickness of laminated material containing glass fibers and/or carbon fibers, a third layer (33) with thickness of thermal insulation e.g. polyurethane foam and/or wood balsa, and a fourth layer (43) with thickness of laminated material containing glass and/or carbon fibers. The sealed layer has thickness ranging between 0.1mm and 1mm, the second and fourth layers have thickness ranging between 1 and 10 mm. The third layer has thickness ranging between 10 and 80 mm.