Modular Cryogenic Barrier Panels for Marine Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of constructing and maintaining conventional cryogenic transport ships for liquefied gases, such as LNG, due to stringent safety regulations, limit the widespread distribution and utilization of these fuels.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layered insulation and secondary barrier system for marine vessels, comprising panels with a single coupling mechanism and an impervious layer, which can be easily integrated into existing ship designs, providing both insulation and containment while accommodating thermal and mechanical movements, thus reducing manufacturing costs and maintaining high safety standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional high-integrity welding and thick hold walls are used to meet IMO type C and B regulations, then safety and containment integrity are improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is divided into multiple modular panels that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each panel contains insulation layers and impervious layers as separate segments, allowing simplified manufacturing of individual components while achieving high overall containment integrity when assembled together.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier panels utilize composite material construction with multiple layers including impervious layers, insulation layers, and structural layers. This composite approach provides high containment integrity and thermal insulation without requiring thick single-layer walls, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining safety.
2Reliability
If conventional high-integrity welding and thick hold walls are used to meet IMO type C and B regulations, then safety and containment integrity are improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is divided into multiple modular panels that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each panel contains insulation layers and impervious layers as separate segments, allowing simplified manufacturing of individual components while achieving high overall containment integrity when assembled together.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier panels utilize composite material construction with multiple layers including impervious layers, insulation layers, and structural layers. This composite approach provides high containment integrity and thermal insulation without requiring thick single-layer walls, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining safety.
3Temperature
If insulation is applied directly to the hull structure, then thermal insulation is provided, but the hold cannot be inspected or maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is divided into multiple modular panels that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each panel contains insulation layers and impervious layers as separate segments, allowing simplified manufacturing of individual components while achieving high overall containment integrity when assembled together.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier panels are designed to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction through flexible connections and expansion joints, allowing the structure to dynamically adjust to temperature changes while maintaining the inspection space between the hold and barrier.
4Strength
If multiple coupling means are used to attach insulation panels, then attachment strength is improved, but manufacturing cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple attachment functions are merged into a single coupling mechanism that provides both structural support and thermal break functionality. This single coupling point per panel simplifies the attachment system while maintaining adequate strength through optimized design of the coupling element.
Solution Approach 2:
The single coupling mechanism serves multiple functions including mechanical attachment, thermal isolation, and accommodation of panel movement. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed while maintaining attachment strength and simplifying installation.
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 solution allows for the safe and cost-effective transportation of cryogenic liquids by reducing the need for high-integrity welding and thick hold walls, enabling the use of less expensive vessel types and extending the operational life of the primary hold, while ensuring compliance with IMO regulations for secondary containment.
Implementation Method 1
the barrier is provided with an impervious layer on a surface of the barrier facing the hold space
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of multi-layered insulation panels, each panel arranged to align with an adjacent panel on an inner surface of a hold space of a marine vessel
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a marine vessel cryogenic barrier which is formed of a plurality of individual panels, each panel being arranged to align with an adjacent panel on an inner surface of a hold space of a marine vessel and comprising a single coupling means at the centre of the panel and an impervious layer on a surface of the barrier facing the hold space.