Membrane Insulation Panels for Cryogenic Gas Carriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional insulation systems for cryogenic liquefied gas cargo tanks face challenges in maintaining thermal insulation performance while minimizing weight and manufacturing costs, as increasing the thickness of polyurethane foam panels leads to heat loss and deformation due to temperature differences.
Innovation Solution
A membrane-type insulation system with a secondary insulation layer composed of intersecting panels in a multilayer structure, using glass fiber-reinforced polyurethane foam and plywood, and a primary insulation layer with a composite structure of plywood and a heat insulator, where the panels are secured to minimize heat loss and deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the thickness of polyurethane foam panels is increased to improve thermal insulation performance, then heat loss is reduced, but weight and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation system is divided into multiple layers with different materials (outer polyurethane foam layer, intermediate perlite layer, inner polyurethane foam layer) rather than using a single thick panel. This segmentation allows optimization of each layer's function while reducing total weight compared to a single solid foam structure of equivalent thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite insulation structure combining polyurethane foam and perlite in a multilayer configuration. This composite approach leverages the thermal insulation properties of both materials, achieving superior insulation performance with reduced weight compared to solid polyurethane foam of equivalent thickness.
2Loss of energy
If the thickness of polyurethane foam panels is increased to improve thermal insulation performance, then heat loss is reduced, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the insulation into multiple manufacturable layers (outer foam, intermediate perlite, inner foam) allows each component to be produced and assembled separately, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost compared to producing and handling single thick foam panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure using readily available materials (polyurethane foam and perlite) in a standardized multilayer configuration simplifies manufacturing processes and reduces costs compared to using thick solid foam panels that require specialized production and handling.
3Loss of energy
If the thickness of polyurethane foam panels is increased, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but deformation due to temperature difference occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the thick insulation into multiple thinner layers (outer foam, intermediate perlite, inner foam) reduces thermal gradients within each layer, minimizing differential thermal expansion and deformation while maintaining overall insulation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite multilayer structure with perlite as an intermediate layer provides thermal buffering that reduces temperature differentials across the insulation system, preventing deformation while maintaining insulation performance.
4Loss of energy
If the thickness of polyurethane foam panels is increased, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but loading volume of the cargo tank is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The composite insulation system achieves equivalent or superior thermal insulation performance to solid foam but with reduced total thickness, thereby maximizing the loading volume of the cargo tank while maintaining energy efficiency.
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 configuration enhances thermal insulation performance by reducing heat loss and deformation, overcoming the limitations of single-panel thickness increases and maintaining structural integrity under cryogenic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a secondary insulation layer which is composed of a plurality of panels stacked in a multilayer structure for improvement in thermal insulation performance by arranging upper and lower panels to intersect each other in order to minimize heat loss
Data Source
AI summary
In a membrane type heat insulation system for a cryogenic liquefied gas carrier cargo tank and a liquefied gas fuel container, a secondary heat insulation layer comprises a plurality of panels which are stacked in multiple layers while each pair of upper and lower panels is arranged to intersect each other, whereby heat loss which may occur in the gap between the panels can be minimized and deformation due to a temperature difference can be minimized.