Liquefied Gas Nozzle Drying with Heated Pneumatic Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquified gas nozzles used for transferring gases like LNG or LN2 accumulate ice due to rapid temperature changes, leading to safety risks, inefficiencies, and operational challenges in fueling stations and other applications, especially in explosive atmospheres where high-power heating is unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a heat storage unit and a channel for pneumatic flow that heats the nozzle indirectly, using thermal energy from the heat storage to dry the nozzle safely and efficiently, with a controlled pneumatic flow that is only activated when the nozzle is present, ensuring safe and rapid drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If compressed air is used to dry the nozzle, then the nozzle can be dried quickly, but liquid drops remain on the inner surface due to electrostatic attraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the drying medium from gas (compressed air) to liquid (hydrophobic solvent). This parameter change allows the drying mechanism to shift from aerodynamic drying to capillary action and electrostatic repulsion, effectively resolving the contradiction between drying speed and drying completeness by eliminating liquid drop adhesion through the hydrophobic nature of the solvent
2Reliability
If a hydrophobic substance is applied to the nozzle surface, then liquid drops are repelled effectively, but additional processing steps and substances are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by making the drying medium itself (isopropanol) possess the hydrophobic properties needed for liquid drop repulsion. The solvent automatically repels water-based liquid drops through its inherent hydrophobic nature, eliminating the need for separate hydrophobic coating applications or additional chemical substances, thus reducing process complexity while maintaining effective liquid drop repulsion
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 effectively dries the nozzle at low power, reducing ice accumulation and enhancing safety by maintaining a continuous temperature, thus preventing leakage and wear while meeting explosive atmosphere safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophobic substance is applied to an inner surface of the nozzle... liquid drops are repelled less effectively
Implementation Method 2
drying the nozzle with compressed air... liquid drops remain on the inner surface of the nozzle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Device (1) for drying a nozzle (2) for liquefied gas, wherein the device (1) comprises a first member (12) for receiving the nozzle (2) adapted to heat a heating unit (21), a heat storage (14), a pneumatic inlet (31), a pneumatic outlet (32), and a channel (30) connecting the pneumatic inlet (31) to the pneumatic outlet (32). The pneumatic outlet (32) is arranged in the first member (12) and the channel (30) is arranged such that a pneumatic flow within the channel (30) is heated by the heat storage (14).