Reliquefaction device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reliquefaction devices face inefficiencies in reliquefying boil-off gas due to evaporation of liquefied natural gas when mixed with boil-off gas, requiring large amounts of liquefied natural gas and slow mixing processes.
Innovation Solution
A reliquefaction device with a flow passage unit featuring stacked substrates and grooves for direct and indirect heat exchange, allowing for efficient mixing and cooling of boil-off gas with liquefied natural gas and refrigerant, reducing evaporation and enhancing reliquefaction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquefied natural gas is mixed with boil-off gas for reliquefaction, then reliquefaction of the boil-off gas is promoted, but the liquefied natural gas evaporates due to heat of the boil-off gas
Solution Approach 1:
The flow passage unit is divided into multiple flow passage substrates stacked in layers, creating multiple independent flow channels. The boil-off gas flow passage and liquefied natural gas flow passage are separated into different substrates, allowing controlled interaction through connection passages while preventing direct large-scale mixing that causes evaporation
Solution Approach 2:
Connection flow passages act as intermediary channels that connect the boil-off gas flow passage and liquefied natural gas flow passage. These intermediaries enable gradual mixing and heat exchange between the two gases while controlling the rate of interaction to prevent excessive evaporation
2Loss of substance
If a large amount of liquefied natural gas is prepared to prevent evaporation, then evaporation is reduced, but the mixing process becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The flow passages extend in multiple spatial dimensions through the stacked substrate structure. Connection flow passages extend in the stacking direction to connect different substrates, creating three-dimensional flow paths that increase mixing surface area and speed up the process while maintaining controlled evaporation rates
3Productivity
If multiple flow passage substrates are stacked to form flow passages, then direct heat exchange is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flow passage substrates are joined together to form an integrated flow passage unit. The substrates are connected through joining portions that merge the individual flow channels into a coordinated system, enabling enhanced heat exchange while maintaining a modular and manageable structure
Solution Approach 2:
The stacked substrate structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it creates separate flow passages for different gases, provides connection channels for mixing, enables heat exchange surfaces, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional 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 device efficiently reliquefies boil-off gas by promoting direct heat exchange between boil-off gas and liquefied natural gas, while precooling and indirect heat exchange with refrigerant minimize evaporation, thereby improving overall reliquefaction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
reliquefying first target gas, which is gas evaporated from liquid and a reliquefaction target, by direct heat exchange between the first target gas and first promoting liquid
Implementation Method 2
allowing the flow of refrigerant such that indirect heat exchange between the first target gas and the refrigerant is performed through the separation wall
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a reliquefaction device with which a gas gasified from a liquid can be efficiently reliquefied. A plurality of flow passages include: a mixing flow passage which is connected to the downstream end section of one among a liquid flow passage and a gas flow passage and allows a fluid mixture to flow so that a reliquefaction promoting liquid flowing through the liquid flow passage and a reliquefaction target gas flowing through the gas flow passage are mixed and the reliquefaction of the reliquefaction target gas is promoted by direct heat exchange; and a gas cooling flow passage which allows a coolant to flow and cool the reliquefaction target gas by indirect heat exchange with the reliquefaction target gas through a separation wall, thereby suppressing the gasification of the reliquefaction promoting liquid when the reliquefaction target gas is mixed with the reliquefaction promoting liquid flowing through the liquid flow passage.