A transport container for helium, with an inner container for receiving the helium, a coolant container for receiving a cryogenic liquid (N.sub.2), an outer container, in which the inner container and the coolant container are contained, a thermal shield, in which the inner container is contained and which can be actively cooled with the aid of a liquid phase of the cryogenic liquid (LN.sub.2), the thermal shield having at least one first cooling line, in which the liquid phase of the cryogenic liquid can be received for actively cooling the thermal shield, and an insulating element, which is arranged between the outer container and the thermal shield and which can be actively cooled with the aid of a gaseous phase of the cryogenic liquid (GN.sub.2), the insulating element having at least one second cooling line, in which the gaseous phase of the cryogenic liquid can be received.

Simplified closed loop refrigeration system adapted for cryogenic temperatures comprising: a gaseous refrigerant circulating inside the closed loop refrigeration system, a compression section for compressing the refrigerant with at least two compressor stages, at least one of the compressor stages being one centrifugal compressor, at least a motor producing mechanical power to drive at least one of the compressor stages, at least an after cooler after each compression stage, a first heat exchanger for additionally cooling the compressed refrigerant, at least one expansion turbine for expanding the compressed refrigerant, a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the expanded refrigerant and an external fluid, a heating section where the expanded refrigerant is heated in counter-current flow inside the first heat-exchanger by the compressed refrigerant, wherein at least one centrifugal compressor being driven only by the expansion turbine and the centrifugal compressors and the expansion turbine use magnetic bearings.

Simplified closed loop refrigeration system adapted for cryogenic temperatures comprising: a gaseous refrigerant circulating inside the closed loop refrigeration system, a compression section for compressing the refrigerant with at least two compressor stages, at least one of the compressor stages being one centrifugal compressor, at least a motor producing mechanical power to drive at least one of the compressor stages, at least an after cooler after each compression stage, a first heat exchanger for additionally cooling the compressed refrigerant, at least one expansion turbine for expanding the compressed refrigerant, a second heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the expanded refrigerant and an external fluid, a heating section where the expanded refrigerant is heated in counter-current flow inside the first heat-exchanger by the compressed refrigerant, wherein at least one centrifugal compressor being driven only by the expansion turbine and the centrifugal compressors and the expansion turbine use magnetic bearings.

Container systems for the transportation and/or storage of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) are provided. The container systems include: a) an outer shell; b) an inner pressurized container, wherein the inner pressurized container comprises a first chamber having a first vent and at least one other chamber having a second vent; c) at least one heat exchange zone in thermal communication between the first chamber and the at least one other chamber; and d) an interstitial space between the outer shell and the inner pressurized container including at least a partial vacuum. Methods for transporting and/or storing LNG using the aforementioned container systems are also provided.

Container systems for the transportation and/or storage of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) are provided. The container systems include: a) an outer shell; b) an inner pressurized container, wherein the inner pressurized container comprises a first chamber having a first vent and at least one other chamber having a second vent; c) at least one heat exchange zone in thermal communication between the first chamber and the at least one other chamber; and d) an interstitial space between the outer shell and the inner pressurized container including at least a partial vacuum. Methods for transporting and/or storing LNG using the aforementioned container systems are also provided.

A sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a low-temperature liquefied gas, having an insulating box-section with a bottom panel coming into abutment on a support wall, by means of sealant beads disposed between the support wall and the bottom panel, the sealant beads being disposed in the form of at least one closed outline delimiting at least one confined space between the support wall and the bottom panel, the bottom panel having at least one through passage leading into the confined space to allow gas to circulate between the confined space and an internal space of the insulating box-section.

A sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a low-temperature liquefied gas, having an insulating box-section with a bottom panel coming into abutment on a support wall, by means of sealant beads disposed between the support wall and the bottom panel, the sealant beads being disposed in the form of at least one closed outline delimiting at least one confined space between the support wall and the bottom panel, the bottom panel having at least one through passage leading into the confined space to allow gas to circulate between the confined space and an internal space of the insulating box-section.

A pressure vessel includes a first wall defining a container and a second wall surrounding the container defining a cavity between the first wall and the second wall. The pressure vessel also includes a vent in the second wall providing fluid communication between the cavity and an outside of the second wall and matter positioned within the cavity configured to prevent flame from propagating through the cavity while providing thermal conductivity between the first wall and the second wall.

A transport container for helium, with an inner container for receiving the helium, a coolant container for receiving a cryogenic liquid (N.sub.2), an outer container, in which the inner container and the coolant container are contained, a thermal shield, in which the inner container is contained and which can be actively cooled with the aid of a liquid phase of the cryogenic liquid (LN.sub.2), the thermal shield having at least one first cooling line, in which the liquid phase of the cryogenic liquid can be received for actively cooling the thermal shield, and an insulating element, which is arranged between the outer container and the thermal shield and which can be actively cooled with the aid of a gaseous phase of the cryogenic liquid (GN.sub.2), the insulating element having at least one second cooling line, in which the gaseous phase of the cryogenic liquid can be received.

A transport container for helium, with an inner container for receiving the helium, a coolant container for receiving a cryogenic liquid (N.sub.2), an outer container, in which the inner container and the coolant container are contained, a thermal shield, in which the inner container is contained and which can be actively cooled with the aid of a liquid phase of the cryogenic liquid (LN.sub.2), the thermal shield having at least one first cooling line, in which the liquid phase of the cryogenic liquid can be received for actively cooling the thermal shield, and an insulating element, which is arranged between the outer container and the thermal shield and which can be actively cooled with the aid of a gaseous phase of the cryogenic liquid (GN.sub.2), the insulating element having at least one second cooling line, in which the gaseous phase of the cryogenic liquid can be received.