Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C5/00—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures
  • F17C5/06—Methods or apparatus for filling containers with liquefied, solidified, or compressed gases under pressures for filling with compressed gases
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C9/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure
  • F17C9/02—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure with change of state, e.g. vaporisation
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
  • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
  • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
  • F17C2205/0323—Valves
  • F17C2205/0326—Valves electrically actuated
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
  • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
  • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
  • F17C2205/0323—Valves
  • F17C2205/0335—Check-valves or non-return valves
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
  • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
  • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
  • F17C2205/0338—Pressure regulators
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
  • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
  • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
  • F17C2205/037—Quick connecting means, e.g. couplings
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
  • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
  • F17C2221/011—Oxygen
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
  • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
  • F17C2221/014—Nitrogen
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
  • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
  • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
  • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
  • F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
  • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
  • F17C2223/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
  • F17C2223/04—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by other properties of handled fluid before transfer
  • F17C2223/042—Localisation of the removal point
  • F17C2223/046—Localisation of the removal point in the liquid
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
  • F17C2225/01—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
  • F17C2225/0107—Single phase
  • F17C2225/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2225/00—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel
  • F17C2225/03—Handled fluid after transfer, i.e. state of fluid after transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
  • F17C2225/035—High pressure, i.e. between 10 and 80 bars
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
  • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
  • F17C2227/0302—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating
  • F17C2227/0309—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating using another fluid
  • F17C2227/0311—Air heating
  • F17C2227/0313—Air heating by forced circulation, e.g. using a fan
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
  • F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
  • F17C2227/0367—Localisation of heat exchange
  • F17C2227/0369—Localisation of heat exchange in or on a vessel
  • F17C2227/0376—Localisation of heat exchange in or on a vessel in wall contact
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
  • F17C2227/04—Methods for emptying or filling
  • F17C2227/047—Methods for emptying or filling by repeating a process cycle
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
  • F17C2250/01—Intermediate tanks
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
  • F17C2250/03—Control means
  • F17C2250/032—Control means using computers
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
  • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
  • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
  • F17C2250/043—Pressure
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
  • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
  • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
  • F17C2250/0439—Temperature
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
  • F17C2250/06—Controlling or regulating of parameters as output values
  • F17C2250/0605—Parameters
  • F17C2250/0626—Pressure
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
  • F17C2250/06—Controlling or regulating of parameters as output values
  • F17C2250/0605—Parameters
  • F17C2250/0631—Temperature
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
  • F17C2260/01—Improving mechanical properties or manufacturing
  • F17C2260/015—Facilitating maintenance
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
  • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
  • F17C2270/00—Applications
  • F17C2270/05—Applications for industrial use

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method for converting a fluid from its liquid state into its gaseous state and to an apparatus for converting a fluid from its liquid state into its gaseous state.
• Fluids at low temperatures can be stored in their liquid phase in storage tanks for subsequent use or consumption of the respective fluid either in its liquid phase or in its gaseous phase.
• different pressure levels of the fluid to be consumed can be more or less effective. For example, while it can, on the one hand, be more effective to use the fluid in its liquid phase at a low pressure, it can, on the other hand, be more effective to use the fluid in its gaseous phase at a high pressure.
• liquefied nitrogen can be used in LNG (liquified natural gas) refueling stations, e.g. as a refrigerant to cool the LNG and to maintain a low pressure in the LNG storage through a heat exchanger, or e.g. as a nitrogen source for instruments such as actuators and sweep systems. It might be more effective to keep the nitrogen stored in its liquid state at a rather high pressure, e.g. around 7 bar, in order to supply gaseous nitrogen to the respective instruments without requiring a compressor. Nevertheless, this high pressure of the LIN tank might result in a lower ability to cool down the LNG storage with liquid nitrogen and might thus increases the nitrogen consumption.
• LNG liquid natural gas
• the present invention relates to a method for converting a fluid from its liquid state into its gaseous state and to an apparatus for converting a fluid from its liquid state into its gaseous state with the features of the independent claims.
• Embodiments and advantages form the subject-matter of the dependent claims and of the subsequent description.
• the present invention expediently provides a possibility for converting or transferring the fluid from its liquid state at a low-pressure level into its gaseous state at a high-pressure level, i.e. for both evaporating and compressing the fluid.
• the fluid can particularly be a substance, which is in its gaseous state at ambient temperature.
• the fluid can be nitrogen, argon, oxygen etc.
• an apparatus comprising an inlet port, an outlet port, and a conversion tank, conversion vessel or conversion chamber.
• the inlet port is connected with a storage tank for storing the fluid in its liquid state at a first pressure level or low-pressure level.
• the outlet port is connected with a gas consuming unit.
• This gas consuming unit can for example be a unit which directly consumes or utilises the gaseous fluid, e.g. an instrument such as an actuator or a sweep system.
• the gas consuming unit can also be a storage tank for storing the gaseous fluid before being utilised or consumed by another consuming unit.
• the storage tank for storing the fluid in its liquid state shall also be referred to as a "first storage tank” and the storage tank for storing the fluid in its gaseous state shall also be referred to as a "second storage tank”.
• An amount of the fluid in its liquid state at the first pressure level is transferred from the first storage tank via the inlet port into the conversion tank.
• the amount of fluid in the conversion tank is evaporated and thereby converted from its liquid state at the first pressure level into its gaseous state at a second pressure level or high-pressure level higher than the first pressure level.
• An amount of the fluid in its gaseous state at the section pressure level is then transferred from the conversion tank to the gas consuming unit.
• the invention further relates to an apparatus for converting a fluid from its liquid state into its gaseous state comprising an inlet port, an outlet port, and a conversion tank, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform an embodiment of method according to invention.
• an apparatus for converting a fluid from its liquid state into its gaseous state comprising an inlet port, an outlet port, and a conversion tank, wherein the apparatus is configured to perform an embodiment of method according to invention.
• Embodiments and advantages of the method according to the invention and of the apparatus according to the invention shall arise from the present description in an analogous manner.
• the apparatus with the conversion tank is expediently designed to supply pressurised gas to a consumer by using a source of liquified gas at lower pressure.
• the apparatus particularly does not require any intensive power equipment, e.g. no compressor, requires low maintenance, and has a low energy consumption, e.g. less than 100 W.
• the working principle of the invention is mainly based on the vaporisation of a liquified gas within a chamber, i.e. the conversation chamber.
• the wide density difference between the liquified cryogenic gas and the gas expediently results in an increase of pressure into the conversation tank.
• the invention allows to easily and effectively convert the fluid from its liquid state at a low-pressure level into its gaseous state with a high-pressure level. Particularly, no compressor is required to feed the consuming unit with pressurised gas.
• the apparatus comprises only a small number of elements or components, such that costs and maintenance expenditure can be kept low.
• the invention particularly yields low energy consumption, low maintenance costs, low maintenance expenditure, low noise, low CAPEX (capital expenditure), and low OPEX (operating expense).
• the invention is suitable for a wide variety of technical areas of application.
• the invention can particularly be suitable for any filling station, where a cryogenic gas in its liquid state is used as source.
• the invention can be suitable for supplying nitrogen or argon equipment in industries.
• Nitrogen can e.g. be used to inert piping or capacities and supplied pneumatic systems.
• Argon can e.g. be used for welding.
• the invention can expediently be suitably for supplying medical oxygen network in hospitals.
• the invention can be particularly suitable for nitrogen consumption in LNG refueling stations, wherein nitrogen is used in its liquid state as a refrigerant to cool the LNG and to maintain a low pressure into the LNG storage through a heat exchanger, and wherein nitrogen is used in its gaseous phase for instruments such as actuators and sweep systems.
• the nitrogen can expediently be stored in the first storage tank in its liquid state at the low first pressure level of e.g. 3 bar or less. Liquid nitrogen at this first pressure level can be used for the LNG cooling, wherein the cooling capacity can be increased and nitrogen consumption can be reduced.
• the low-pressure liquid nitrogen can easily be converted into the gaseous nitrogen with the high second pressure level of e.g. 7 bar or higher.
• the high-pressure gaseous nitrogen can then be supplied to the respective instruments, particularly without requiring a compressor.
• the step of evaporating the amount of fluid in the conversion tank comprises heating the fluid in the conversion tank.
• the low-pressure fluid can either actively or passively be heated, such that the liquid fluid in the conversion tank can expand and evaporate.
• the fluid in the conversion tank is heated by means of a heat transfer from an ambient atmosphere outside of the conversion tank to the fluid in the conversion tank.
• This heat transfer can especially correspond to a natural or forced heat convection to ambient air.
• the liquid vaporisation is achieved by means of heat losses to ambient air and can be done by natural convection.
• the conversion tank is provided as a tank, vessel or chamber without thermal insulation to the ambient atmosphere or with only little thermal insulation to the ambient atmosphere (both cases can be described in the following as a "non-insulated tank"), which (still) allows the fluid in the conversion tank to be heated by means of heat transfer from the ambient atmosphere, thereby allowing the fluid in the conversion tank to be heated by the ambient atmosphere.
• the conversion tank can be provided as a non-insulated stainless-steel vessel. Heat from the ambient air can thus effectively enter the conversion tank.
• the apparatus further comprises a first valve connecting the conversion tank with the first port and a second valve from the conversion tank to the ambient atmosphere.
• the first valve and the second valve can each for example be provided as an air-operated valve (AOV).
• AOV air-operated valve
• the different method steps are especially performed by individually controlling these two valves, e.g. individually opening or closing the valves.
• the apparatus can further especially comprise a non-return valve (NRV) connecting the conversion tank with the second port. This non-return valve can particularly automatically be opened when the pressure in the apparatus 100 is higher than the pressure in gas consuming unit.
• NSV non-return valve
• the apparatus further comprises a temperature determination device configured to determine a temperature in the conversion tank and/or a pressure determination device configured to determine a pressure in the conversion tank and/or at a position between the conversion tank and the outlet port, especially at a position between the conversion tank and the non-return valve.
• the temperature determination device can for example be provided as a temperature probe.
• the pressure determination device can for example be provided as a pressure transmitter. The correspondingly determined or measured pressure and/or temperature can especially be used for controlling the first and second valve in order to perform the different method steps.
• the step of transferring the amount of the fluid in its liquid state from the first storage tank into the conversion tank comprises opening the first valve and opening the second valve, thereby allowing the liquid fluid to flow from the first storage tank into the conversion tank, until the temperature in the conversion tank reaches a first predetermined temperature threshold value.
• the temperature in the conversion tank can especially be determined by means of the temperature determination device.
• the temperate reaching the predetermined temperature threshold value particularly characterises that the conversion tank is filled up to a predetermined percentage.
• the predetermined temperature value can especially be adjustable, e.g. depending on the type of liquified gas (a2, N2, ).
• the step of evaporating the amount of fluid in the conversion tank comprises closing the first valve and closing the second valve until the temperature in the conversion tank reaches a second predetermined temperature threshold value and/or until a pressure in the conversion tank and/or at a position between the conversion tank and the outlet port, especially at a position between the conversion tank and the non-return valve, reaches a first predetermined pressure threshold value.
• a second predetermined temperature threshold value can particularly correspond to or depend on the evaporation temperature of the fluid.
• the first predetermined pressure can for example indicate that the gas consuming unit needs to be refilled.
• the step of transferring the amount of the fluid in its gaseous from the conversion tank to the gas consuming unit comprises closing the first valve and closing the second valve.
• the gaseous fluid can now flow from the conversion tank via the non-return valve and the outlet port to the consuming unit.
• the conversion tank is emptied or vented prior to the step of transferring the amount of the fluid in its liquid state from the first storage tank into the conversion tank. It can be expedient to first of all remove remaining amounts of fluid from the conversion tank before the new amount of liquified fluid is transferred into the storage tank for evaporation. Particularly, the apparatus can be operated and the method can be performed with very noise, except when the conversion tank is vented. Although venting the conversion tank before refilling it with liquified gas can lead to a loss of fluid, this fluid loss can particularly be negligible compared to the quantity of gas to be pressurised. In the case of in an LNG refueling station, this fluid loss can especially be compensated by the improved cooling performance of the LIN tank.
• the step of emptying the conversion tank comprises closing the first valve and opening the second valve, thereby venting the remaining amount of fluid from the conversion tank to the ambient atmosphere, until the pressure in the conversion tank and/or at the position between the conversion tank and the outlet port, especially at position between the conversion tank and the non-return valve, reaches a second predetermined pressure threshold value.
• the respective pressure can especially be determined by means of the pressure determination device.
• the second pressure threshold value can particularly characterise that the conversion tank is completely empty or at least essentially empty.
• the second pressure threshold value can correspond to the atmosphere pressure plus an offset value, e.g. to the atmosphere pressure plus 0.5 bar.
• Fig. 1b schematically shows the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein identical reference signs in Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b refer to identical or equivalent elements.
• the apparatus 100 can further comprise a fan unit 160 with a fan 162 and a motor 161 for rotating the fan 162, such that a flow 163 of ambient air can be created towards and around the conversion tank 110.
• the fan unit 160 can further comprise a housing or flow passage 164 provided from the fan 162 around or along the conversion tank 110 for creating the air flow 163.
• the apparatus 100 is configured to perform an embodiment of a method according to the present invention, as shall now be explained with reference to Fig. 2 .
• Fig. 2 shows the method according to an embodiment of the present invention as a schematic block diagram.
• a step 202 the apparatus 100 is provided and connected with the first storage unit 180 and the consuming unit 190.
• a step 204 the current pressure inside the second storage tank 191 is determined by means of the pressure determination device 192 and it is evaluated, whether this current pressure falls below a predetermined minimum value. If this is the case, a signal can be output in order to instruct the apparatus 100 to convert liquid nitrogen into gaseous nitrogen.
• a step 206 the conversion tank 110 is emptied in order to vent remaining nitrogen in the conversion tank 110 to the atmosphere.
• the first valve 121 is closed and the second valve 123 is opened, until the pressure between the conversion tank 110 and the non-return valve 122 determined by means of the pressure determination device 132 reaches a second predetermined pressure threshold value.
• This second predetermined pressure threshold value can for example correspond to the atmosphere pressure plus an offset value of e.g. 0.5 bar.
• step 208 it is evaluated whether the pressure falls below the second predetermined pressure threshold value. As long as the pressure remains above the second threshold value, the step 206 of venting the conversion tank 110 is performed. When the pressure falls below the second pressure threshold value, step 210 is performed.
• step 210 an amount of the fluid in its liquid state at the first pressure level is transferred from the first storage tank 180 into the conversion tank 110 in order to fill the conversion tank 110.
• the first valve 121 is opened and the second valve 123 is opened until the temperature in the conversion tank 110 determined by means of the temperature determination device 131 reaches a first predetermined temperature threshold value.
• This first predetermined temperature threshold value can e.g. correspond to a full-setpoint characterising that the conversion tank 110 is completely filled.
• the first predetermined temperature threshold value can be -160°C.
• the first predetermined temperature threshold value can further be an adjustable value.
• step 212 it is evaluated whether the temperature inside the conversion tank 110 falls below the first predetermined temperature threshold value. As long as this is not the case, the step 210 of filling the tank 110 is performed. When the temperature falls below the threshold value, step 214 is performed.
• step 214 the amount of fluid in the conversion tank 110 is evaporated, thereby increasing the pressure of the fluid in the conversion tank 110 and converting the fluid from its liquid state at the first pressure level into its gaseous state at a second pressure level.
• the first valve 121 and the second valve 123 are closed.
• the liquid fluid is expediently evaporated by heating the fluid in the conversion tank 110, especially by means of a heat transfer from the ambient atmosphere to the fluid in the tank 110.
• this heat transfer can correspond to a natural or forced heat convection to ambient air.
• the conversion tank 110 is particularly provided as a non-insulated tank without thermal insulation to the ambient atmosphere, e.g. a non-insulated stainless-steel vessel, such that heat from the ambient air can effectively enter the conversion tank 110, thereby allowing the fluid in the conversion tank 110 to be heated by means of the heat transfer from the ambient atmosphere.
• the apparatus comprises the fan unit 160, the motor 161 and the fan 162 can be used to create the flow 163 towards and around the conversion tank 110. This way, forced heat convection can be achieved for heating the fluid in the conversion tank 110.
• step 216 it is evaluated, whether the temperature in the conversion tank 110 determined by means of the temperature determination device 131 reaches a second predetermined temperature threshold value and whether the pressure between the conversion tank 110 and the non-return valve 122 determined by means of the pressure determination device 132 reaches a first predetermined pressure threshold value.
• This second threshold value can expediently correspond to or depend on the evaporation temperature of the fluid, i.e. indicating that the liquid inside the tank 110 has vaporised.
• the second threshold value can correspond to -20°C and can be an adjustable value.
• a temperature in the conversion tank 110 higher than - 20°C can e.g. means that there is no more liquid inside the conversion tank 110.
• the first predetermined pressure threshold can be an adjustable value and can for example correspond to 7 bar.
• a pressure lower than 7 bar can e.g. mean that the consumer 190 needs pressure.
• Step 216 is therefore particularly performed in order to check if the system is ready to refill. As long as the temperature is below the second predetermined temperature threshold value and as long as the pressure is above first predetermined pressure threshold, step 214 is continued, i.e. the first valve 121 and the second valve 123 remain closed. When the temperature exceeds the second threshold value and/or when the pressure falls below the first pressure threshold, step 218 is performed.
• step 218 an amount of the fluid in its gaseous state at the section pressure level is transferred from the conversion tank 110 to the gas consuming unit 190.
• the first valve 121 is closed and the second valve is 123 closed.
• the second storage tank 190 can now be refilled.
• the gaseous nitrogen to be transferred to the consuming unit 190 can be heated, e.g. depending on the specific application and the specific use of the nitrogen gas.
• the apparatus 100 as shown in Fig. 1a or Fig. 1b can for example be used in an LNG (liquified natural gas) refueling stations, wherein low-pressure liquid nitrogen from the first storage tank 180 is e.g. used as a refrigerant to cool the LNG and to maintain a low pressure in the LNG storage and wherein high-pressure nitrogen from the second storage tank 190 is e.g. used for instruments such as actuators and sweep systems. Nitrogen can therefore expediently be stored in the first storage tank 180 in its liquid state at the low first pressure level of e.g. 3 bar or less and can directly be used for the LNG cooling, wherein the cooling capacity can be increased and nitrogen consumption can be reduced.
• LNG liquid natural gas
• the low-pressure liquid nitrogen can easily be converted into the gaseous nitrogen and stored in the second storage tank 190 with the high second pressure level of e.g. 7 bar or higher.
• the high-pressure gaseous nitrogen can then directly be supplied to respective instruments, particularly without requiring a compressor.
• nitrogen with a pressure of 3 bar can have a latent heat of 184.0 kJ/kg and a saturation temperature of -185.2°C
• nitrogen with a pressure of 7 bar can have a latent heat of 164.3 kJ/kg and a saturation temperature of -174.7°C.
• the invention therefore allows to easily and effectively convert a fluid from a low-pressure liquid state into a high-pressure gaseous state, particularly without intensive power equipment, e.g. without a compressor.
• the apparatus 100 comprises only a small number of elements, such that costs and maintenance expenditure can be kept low.
• the invention yields low energy consumption, low maintenance costs, low maintenance expenditure, low noise, low CAPEX (capital expenditure), and low OPEX (operating expense).

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• Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

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• 2024
  • 2024-03-19 EP EP24315097.6A patent/EP4621281A1/de active Pending

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