Transport Vessel Heating Cradle for Uniform Gas Vaporization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy delivery systems for large-scale transport vessels face inefficiencies and safety issues in delivering vapor phase non-air gases, such as ammonia, due to poor heat transfer, uneven energy distribution, and the risk of contaminant entrainment, particularly in larger systems like ISO containers, which can lead to reduced purity and increased safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
The system employs energy delivery devices with a crescent-shaped cradle and insulation to maintain intimate contact with the vessel, using pliable heaters and copper grounding plates, and a closed-loop control system to regulate heat transfer, ensuring efficient and uniform energy delivery while accommodating various vessel sizes and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heaters are used to vaporize liquid phase low vapor pressure gas in the transport vessel, then the gas can be delivered in vapor phase, but the heaters cause uneven energy distribution, high heat losses, and formation of hot spots
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple separate heating zones along the length of the transport vessel. Each zone has its own heating element and temperature control, allowing localized heating to match the actual heat requirements at different positions in the vessel, thereby reducing overall energy losses and avoiding excessive heat concentration in any single area.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the vessel are heated to different temperatures based on their specific requirements. The heating intensity and temperature are locally adjusted in each zone to match the actual vaporization needs, preventing uniform overheating and the formation of hot spots while ensuring sufficient vaporization throughout the vessel.
2Productivity
If vigorous boiling is used to vaporize the liquid phase gas, then rapid vaporization occurs, but liquid droplets containing contaminants are entrained into the vapor phase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous vigorous boiling, the system uses controlled, periodic heating cycles. The heating is applied in controlled intervals that are sufficient to maintain vaporization but not so intense as to cause violent boiling and droplet entrainment. This periodic action allows contaminants to remain in the liquid phase while still achieving the required vapor production.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the heating mechanism is designed for small scale systems, then it can be easily transferred between vessels, but it cannot conform well to large vessels resulting in poor heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The heating elements are designed with flexible or adjustable characteristics that allow them to adapt to different vessel sizes and geometries. The heating zones can be configured in various arrangements and the heating intensity can be dynamically adjusted to match the specific requirements of different vessel types, maintaining effective heat transfer across small and large vessels alike.
4Manufacturing precision
If a complex mechanism is used to deliver low vapor pressure gases, then the gas can be delivered at requisite purity, but the system becomes complicated requiring pumps or inert gas pressurization
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the natural vapor pressure and phase equilibrium of the low vapor pressure gas itself to drive the vaporization process. By carefully controlling the heating and allowing the system to self-regulate the vaporization rate, the system achieves high gas purity without requiring external pumps, compressors, or inert gas pressurization mechanisms.
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 provides consistent delivery of high-purity vapor phase gases at elevated pressures, minimizing heat losses and contaminant entrainment, and allows for easy removal and reattachment of the energy delivery system, enhancing safety and efficiency across different transport vessels.
Implementation Method 1
energy delivery devices with a heating means... configured to the contour of the transport vessel
Implementation Method 2
support devices hold the energy delivery devices in thermal contact with a lower portion of the transport vessel
Implementation Method 3
a first insulation means... disposed on the lower portion of the transport vessel
Implementation Method 4
the conversion of stored liquid low vapor pressure gases into vapor tends to cause the low volatility contaminants to vaporize
Data Source
AI summary
A system for delivering vapor phase fluid at an elevated pressure from a transport vessel containing liquefied or two-phase fluid is provided. The system includes: (a) a transport vessel positioned in a substantially horizontal position; (b) one or more energy delivery elements disposed on the lower portion of the transport vessel wherein the energy delivery devices include a heating means and a first insulation means, wherein the energy delivery devices are configured to the contour of the transport vessel; (c) one or more substantially rigid support devices disposed on the outer periphery of the energy delivery devices, wherein the support devices hold the energy delivery devices in thermal contact with a lower portion of the transport vessel; and (d) one or more attaching devices secure the rigid support devices onto the transport vessel and hold the energy delivery devices between the substantially rigid support device and a wall of the transport vessel.