LNG Tank Status Detection via Pressure Drop Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual operation of valve devices in vehicles carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks often results in vapour communication between tanks, making it difficult to determine the status of individual tanks, especially when the manually operated valve devices are left open during driving, leading to inaccurate liquid level sensor readings and potential rapid pressure reductions.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing sensors to monitor pressure drops through a pressurized fluid conduit arrangement, blocking fluid flow from empty tanks to stabilize pressure and accurately determine tank status without requiring manual closure of valve devices, using a system with first and second pressurized fluid conduit arrangements and sensors to assess pressure changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual valve devices are left open for ventilation, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision of liquid level sensors deteriorates due to vapour communication between tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical valve operation with an automated electronic control system. The control arrangement monitors pressure drops and automatically operates valve devices to isolate tanks, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining measurement accuracy. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing automated precision control without sacrificing operational convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous pressure monitoring with feedback control. Pressure sensors detect pressure drops in real-time, and the control arrangement uses this feedback to automatically operate valve devices, isolating tanks when pressure drop exceeds the threshold. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures accurate tank status determination while maintaining ease of operation through automation.
2Ease of operation
If manual valve devices are left open during driving, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to rapid pressure reductions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual valve control with an automated electronic control system that continuously monitors pressure and automatically isolates tanks when needed. This substitution maintains operational simplicity while dramatically improving reliability by preventing rapid pressure reductions through automated protective actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The control arrangement implements preliminary protective action by continuously monitoring pressure and automatically isolating tanks before rapid pressure reductions can occur. The system takes preventive action based on pressure drop thresholds, stopping the harmful process before it affects system reliability.
3Reliability
If pressure monitoring and automatic valve control is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control arrangement performs multiple functions: monitoring pressure, determining tank status, and automatically operating valve devices. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional control unit, the system improves reliability without proportionally increasing complexity, as one device performs several critical tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automated control. The control arrangement autonomously monitors pressure, determines when intervention is needed, and operates valve devices without external input. This self-service capability improves reliability while minimizing the need for additional manual systems or complex external controls.
4Measurement precision
If pressure drop monitoring is used to determine tank status, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information increases due to inability to distinguish liquid vs vapour depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses continuous pressure feedback to monitor tank status. By continuously measuring pressure drops and comparing them against thresholds, the control arrangement can determine tank status with high precision. The feedback loop provides ongoing information about tank conditions, compensating for the initial loss of information about liquid versus vapour depletion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in pressure parameters to infer tank status. By tracking pressure drop magnitude and rate of change, the control arrangement can distinguish between different tank conditions. This parameter-based monitoring provides precise measurement of tank status while maintaining information about the nature of depletion through the characteristics of pressure changes.
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 method allows for accurate determination of tank status, preventing rapid pressure reductions and ensuring reliable fuel supply to the engine, even when manual valve devices are left open, thereby improving operational safety and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
determining, by usage of the sensor, one or more pressure drops associated with the fluid flow through the second pressurized fluid conduit arrangement
Implementation Method 2
when the pressure drop exceeds a threshold value, blocking the fluid flow from one of the primary and secondary fluid tanks to the second pressurized fluid conduit arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a control arrangement for determining the status of a primary fluid tank or one or more secondary fluid tanks, each of the fluid tanks being arranged to contain a fluid or a mixture of fluids available in liquefied form and vaporised form and be connected to a second pressurized fluid conduit arrangement. The control arrangement determines a pressure drop (Δp) associated with the fluid flow through the second pressurized fluid conduit arrangement. When the pressure drop (Δp) exceeds a threshold, the control arrangement blocks the fluid flow from one of the fluid tanks to the second pressurized fluid conduit arrangement. Based on a subsequently determined pressure drop (Δp), the control arrangement determines whether said one of the primary and secondary fluid tanks is empty of liquefied fluid.