Shared Boil-off Management System for Cryogenic Hydrogen Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cryogenic tank systems for hydrogen storage face challenges in maintaining pressure and efficiency, particularly during prolonged dormancy, as existing boil-off management systems are often redundant and costly when multiple tanks are used.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic tank apparatus with two tanks connected to a single boil-off management system (BOMS) via shared boil-off conduits and a catalyst, allowing for efficient conversion of hydrogen to water vapor, reducing space and component requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate boil-off management system is provided for each cryogenic tank, then the reliability of hydrogen conversion is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the boil-off management systems of multiple cryogenic tanks into a single shared BOMS. The mixing chamber receives hydrogen from multiple tanks through separate conduits, allowing one catalyst system to handle boil-off from multiple tanks. This reduces the number of catalysts, mixing chambers, and associated components while maintaining safe hydrogen conversion for all tanks.
Solution Approach 2:
The single BOMS is designed with universal functionality to serve multiple cryogenic tanks. The mixing chamber can process hydrogen from different tanks simultaneously through multiple input conduits, making the BOMS a multi-functional system that handles boil-off management for the entire tank array rather than requiring dedicated systems for each tank.
2Device complexity
If a single boil-off management system is used for multiple cryogenic tanks, then the device complexity and space are reduced, but the mixing chamber volume requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing chamber is designed with a volume that is sufficient to handle the combined boil-off from multiple tanks, potentially oversized relative to the actual hydrogen flow rates. This ensures adequate mixing and conversion capacity without requiring precise optimization for each tank's individual boil-off rate, simplifying the design while maintaining safety margins.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple cryogenic tanks are used to store large amounts of hydrogen, then the hydrogen storage capacity is improved, but the space required for separate BOMS for each tank increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate BOMS into a single shared system that serves all cryogenic tanks. The mixing chamber receives hydrogen from multiple tanks through separate conduits, allowing one catalyst system to handle boil-off from multiple tanks. This significantly reduces the total space required for BOMS components compared to having dedicated systems for each tank.
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 enables cost-effective and space-saving boil-off management for large hydrogen storage, ensuring safe operation and efficient hydrogen conversion without the need for separate BOMS for each tank.
Implementation Method 1
the gas released can be catalytically converted with oxygen in the ambient air and hence reacts to give water vapour
Implementation Method 2
a catalyst downstream of the mixing chamber
Implementation Method 3
the mixing chamber being operable for mixing the first medium from the first cryogenic tank and the first medium from the second cryogenic tank with the second medium from the air supply conduit
Implementation Method 4
an insulated space, especially with a vacuum, set up between the inner vessel and outer vessel, in order to reduce heat transfer from the outside inward
Implementation Method 5
insulated space, especially with a vacuum, set up between the inner vessel and outer vessel, in order to reduce heat transfer from the outside inward
Implementation Method 6
a valve (called the 'boil-off valve,' BOV) opens therein, which releases gaseous hydrogen into the environment
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic tank apparatus having a first cryogenic tank having a first medium therein; a first boil-off conduit fluidically connected to the first cryogenic tank, the first boil-off conduit having a first boil-off valve; a first nozzle fluidically connected to the first boil-off conduit; a second cryogenic tank having the first medium therein; a second boil-off conduit fluidically connected to the second cryogenic tank; and a boil-off management system (BOMS) to receive flow of the first medium from the first cryogenic tank through the first nozzle, and flow of the first medium from the second cryogenic tank. The BOMS has a mixing chamber, a catalyst downstream of the mixing chamber, an outlet of downstream of the catalyst, and an air supply conduit through which flows a second medium, the mixing chamber being operable for mixing the first medium from the first cryogenic tank and the first medium from the second cryogenic tank with the second medium from the air supply conduit.