Tank container for transport and storage of cryogenic liquefied gases

Abstract

The invention relates to a tank container (100; 100) for the transport and storage of cryogenic liquefied gas, comprising a framework (120) and a cylindrical vessel (110) connected to the frames work (120), wherein the vessel (110) is covered by a superinsulation arrangement (130) based on an aerogel composition, and the vessel (110) is connected to the framework (120) by a clamping device (30) which is adapted to allow for a relative movement between the framework (120) and the vessel (110) due to thermal expansion or contraction of the vessel (110).

Claims

1. A tank container comprising a vessel covered by a thermal insulation arrangement, and a framework; wherein the vessel is connected to the framework by a clamping device which comprises a sandwich structure with at least one first plate element connected to the framework, at least one second plate element connected to the vessel, and at least one thermally insulating plate element arranged between the first and the second plate element, wherein the first, second and thermally insulating plate elements each have at least one opening, and wherein the first, second and thermally insulating plate elements are interconnected by a joint element traversing corresponding openings of the first, second and thermally insulating plate elements, wherein the thermally insulating plate reduces a thermal bridging effect between the vessel and the framework, wherein the sandwich structure comprises at least one stabilizing plate element arranged between the first and the second plate element; wherein the stabilizing plate element is not directly connected to either the vessel or the framework.

2. Tank container of claim 1, wherein the dimensions of the openings in the first plate element and/or the second plate element exceed in at least in one direction a cross sectional dimension of the traversing joint element, thereby allowing for a movement between the first plate attached to the framework and the second plate attached to the vessel.

3. Tank container of claim 1, wherein the insulation arrangement comprises at least one insulation layer which comprises aerogel.

4. Tank container of claim 3, further comprising at least one outer cover sheet enclosing the insulation arrangement.

5. Tank container of claim 4, wherein the insulation arrangement comprises at least one insulation layer set comprising at least two insulation layers which comprise aerogel and at least one radiation shield layer between the at least two insulation layers.

6. Tank container of claim 5, wherein the insulation arrangement comprises at least two insulation layer sets comprising aerogel insulation layers and at least one radiation shield layer, and at least one vapor barrier layer between the at least two insulation layer sets.

7. A tank container comprising a vessel covered by an insulation arrangement, and a framework; wherein the vessel is connected to the framework by a clamping device which comprises a sandwich structure with at least one first plate element connected to the framework, at least one second plate element connected to the vessel, and at least one insulating plate element arranged between the first and the second plate element, wherein the first, second and insulating plate elements each have at least one opening, and wherein the first, second and insulating plate elements are interconnected by a joint element traversing corresponding openings of the first, second and insulating plate elements, wherein the sandwich structure comprises at least one pair of sandwiching plate elements which sandwich the first and second plate elements, at least one head element external to each sandwiching plate element, at least one insulating plate element arranged between at least one of the head elements and the corresponding sandwiching plate element, wherein the joint element secures the sandwich structure by traversing corresponding head elements and sandwiching plate elements.

8. A tank container comprising a vessel covered by an insulation arrangement, and a framework; wherein the vessel is connected to the framework by a clamping device which comprises a sandwich structure with at least one first plate element connected to the framework, at least one second plate element connected to the vessel, and at least one insulating plate element arranged between the first and the second plate element, wherein the first, second and insulating plate elements each have at least one opening, and wherein the first, second and insulating plate elements are interconnected by a joint element traversing corresponding openings of the first, second and insulating plate elements, wherein the insulating plate element is manufactured from a fiber reinforced plastic material comprising a PTFE material.

9. Tank container comprising a vessel covered by an insulation arrangement, and a framework; wherein the vessel is connected to the framework by a clamping device which comprises a first sandwich structure with at least one first plate element connected to the framework, a second sandwich structure with at least one second plate element connected to the vessel, and a load-bearing connecting plate extending in parallel to the first and second plate element and having a first end overlapping the first plate element and a second end overlapping the second plate element; wherein the first sandwich structure comprises the first plate element interconnected to the first end of the load-bearing connecting plate by at least one joint element traversing the first plate element and the load-bearing connecting plate, and at least one insulating plate element arranged between the first plate element and the load-bearing connecting plate; and wherein the second sandwich structure comprises the second plate element interconnected to the second end of the load-bearing connecting plate by at least one joint element traversing the second plate element and the load-bearing connecting plate, and at least one insulating plate element arranged between the second plate element and the load-bearing connecting plate.

10. Tank container of claim 9, wherein the insulation arrangement comprises at least one insulation layer which comprises aerogel.

11. Tank container of claim 10, further comprising at least one outer cover sheet enclosing the insulation arrangement.

12. Tank container of claim 11, wherein the insulation arrangement comprises at least one insulation layer set comprising at least two insulation layers which comprise aerogel and at least one radiation shield layer between the at least two insulation layers.

13. Tank container of claim 12, wherein the insulation arrangement comprises at least two insulation layer sets comprising aerogel insulation layers and at least one radiation shield layer, and at least one vapor barrier layer between the at least two insulation layer sets.

14. Tank container of claim 9, wherein the first sandwich structure comprises at least two first plate elements, and wherein the first end of the load-bearing connecting plate is arranged between the at least two first plate elements.

15. Tank container of claim 9, wherein the second sandwich structure comprises at least two second plate elements, and wherein the second end of the load-bearing connecting plate is arranged between the at least two second plate elements.

16. Tank container of claim 9, wherein the first sandwich structure comprises at least two first plate elements, and wherein the first end of the load-bearing connecting plate is arranged between the at least two first plate elements; and wherein the second sandwich structure comprises at least two second plate elements, and wherein the second end of the load-bearing connecting plate is arranged between the at least two second plate elements.

Description

(1) Embodiments, implementation cases, features and further details of the present invention are explained in the following on the basis of the drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows perspective views of a first embodiment of a tank container according to the present invention (Unit CRYOTAINER 34000 LNG/40);

(3) FIG. 2 shows perspective views of a second embodiment of a tank container according to the present invention (Unit CRYOTAINER 16800 LNG/20);\

(4) FIG. 3 shows perspective views of an embodiment of a storage container (Vertical stabile unit CARD 8600 LNG);

(5) FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of a storage container (Horizontal stationary unit CARD 15600 LNG);

(6) FIG. 5 shows the tank container of FIG. 2 including the arrangements of supports in the frame without the insulation;

(7) FIG. 6a to d show details of the support structure of the tank container shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5;

(8) FIG. 7a, b show in a schematic manner the nanostructure insulation arrangement on the stationary horizontal tank shown in FIG. 3 also realized on the tank container according to the present invention;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a further detail of the insulation arrangement of FIG. 7a, b;

(10) FIG. 9 shows in a schematic manner a further embodiment of a support structure for a tank container according to the present invention;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a support structure according to FIG. 6c; and

(12) FIG. 11 shows a detail of a support structure.

IMPLEMENTATION CASE 1

(13) Intermodal tank container unit 100 CRYOTAINER 34000 LNG/40 (FIG. 1) is intended for the long range transportation of liquefied natural gas and is assembled of two horizontal vessels 110 of 16.800 liter clamped into a standard frame 120 for a 40-foot (12 m long; in the following text as 40) container.

(14) Each pressure vessel 110 is horizontally embedded in the standard ISO 40 container frame 120. The pressure vessel 110 is defined of an internal shell 12 which is covered by an external insulation coating formed by a cover sheet 7. The space between shell 12 and coating 7 is filled with an 7 insulation arrangement 130 comprising a combination of insulating materials. (FIG. 7a, FIG. 7b). The insulation arrangement 130 from the inside towards the outside consists of at least one (two according to FIG. 7b) set 131s of several (five with a thickness of 10-mm, as indicated in FIG. 7b) nanostructure insulation layers 11 of cryogenic insulation based on an aerogel composition (total 100 mm). In the present case, a composite material which contains homogeneous or heterogeneous aerogel phases with at least one additive incorporated either into the gel matrix (e.g. during synthesis) or added to the gel as a second distinct phase such as fibers, blankets, a fleece or also by a subsequent modification by compounding. The insulation arrangement 130 shown in FIG. 7a in connection with the storage vessel 300 is also applicable to the Tank container unit 100 and 100.

(15) FIGS. 1 and 2 show optional insulation casings 135 which completely surround the saddle structures 121 and tank supports 30 described below.

(16) Each layer 11 is particularly well-compressed by means of tapes 14 (see FIG. 8), that the individual layers 11 of insulation are separated by a thin air space. After each five layers of insulation an internally installed thermo-shrink film 10 in the thickness of 0.05 mm is installed. The thermo shrinkable film 10 acts as vapor barrier. Then there are five additional layers 11 of insulation placed to insulate cryogenic temperature range. Each layer is compressed by means of strong bands 14. After a total of ten layers 11 again the same thermo-shrinkable film 10 is placed. Toward the outer circumference of the vessel coat the insulation is followed by a filling layer 9 based on expanded foam for filling the gaps, which are the result of variations in the circumference of the container 20 and built-in installations. Under the outer coat 7 is a 10 mm fire protection layer 8.

(17) The outer coat layer 7 is formed from thin metal sheets which form a completely sealed enclosure of the insulation arrangement 130 which serves as an additionally vapor barrier. For this purpose the sheets of the coat layer 7 are welded to each other and/or to a suitable substructure connected to the frame (120) or to the vessel 110. The fire protection layer 8 underneath serves as thermal shield during welding which protects the components of the insulation arrangement 130 underneath the fire protection layer 8.

(18) The fire protection layer 8 may also be based on an aerogel composition. Also, the filling layer 9 may also be based on an aerogel composition, e.g. finely divided aerogel pieces or crumbs of aerogel with typical diameters below 1 em for granules and 1 mm for powders which may be provided in 30 suitable bags, filled blankets or flexible hoses.

(19) FIG. 8 shows a further detail of the insulation arrangement 130. Each insulation layer 11 is provided with a thermal radiation shield layer 16 formed as metallic sheet (e.g. aluminum) which is attached to the insulation layer 11. Gaps 15 between adjoining insulation layers 11 (and radiation shield layers 16) are sealed with a sealing tape 18 with self sticking layer 19. Each gap 15 is also bridged in a radial direction to vessel shell 7 a preceding and/or following insulation layer 11 for improved insulation. The insulation layers 11 are fixed and optionally compressed by surrounding tightening bands or tapes 14.

(20) The inner shell 12 of the vessel 110 is made of stainless steel. The pressure vessel 110 is equipped with installations for the loading and unloading, pressure indication, level and of the pressure control. The pressure vessel is built with two safety relief valves, which prevent excessive increase in pressure in the tank due to gasification of liquefied gas.

(21) In the frame 120 of 40 tank container unit two pressure vessels 110 of the same size are arranged horizontally along a tank vessel axis 121. Each of these vessels 110 can be used due to installation that is functioning independently.

(22) Large temperature difference causes some material elongation or in this case shrinkage. Temperature elongations according to the invention of the tank supports formed as clamping devices 30 (see FIGS. 5, 6a to d) are neutralized by using a specially mounted container. The mounting into in a 15 container frame is designed so that it allows the movement of containers vessel due to thermal shrinkage or expansion. The vessel 110 is mounted in a fixed frame 110 of the tank container 100. The vessel support legs 33 have openings 37 (e.g. formed as elongated holes) that allow the movementshrinkage of the vessel due to temperature or strain within the frame. Joint elements formed as screws 36 are tightened with a force that does not cause excessive friction. Further suitable joint elements are bolt elements.

(23) A specificity of such a support 30 is the low thermal conductivity, which is achieved by a sandwich structure comprising a (first) steel plate element 34 which is welded to a saddle structure 121 of the frame 120. Plate element 34 is sandwiched between two (second) steel plate elements 33 welded to the tank vessel shell 12 via a doubler plate 35 (FIGS. 6a and 6c). Between the first plate element 34 and the second plate elements 33 are insulation plate elements 32 arranged formed from suitable material having a low thermal conductivity and a suitable brittle resistance at very low temperatures (e.g. PTFE (Teflon) or reinforced plastic sheet material) which reduce the thermal conductivity between the vessel 110 and the frame 110. Carbon steel (28 W/mK) conductivity is much higher than a typical thermal conductivity of PTFE (0.23 W/mK) panels.

(24) The whole sandwich structure of the clamping device 30 is compressed by the joint elements 36, which penetrate corresponding openings 37 of the plate elements 32, 33, 34.

(25) As shown in FIG. 11 the cross sectional dimension of the opening 37 exceeds in at least one direction the cross sectional dimension of the penetrating joint element 36 to reduce the contact 9 area between the joint element 37 and the inner face of the opening 37. For this purpose the opening 37 can be formed as an elongated hole (dashed outline 37) or with a circular diameter exceeding a smaller diameter of the joint element 36. The openings 37; 37 allow for displacement movements in a longitudinal direction Land in a radial direction R.

(26) In the present case the compressing force is exceeded by the head elements 38 of the joint element 36 formed configured as bolts and the nuts tightened on the thread of the bolt acting as a tie rod. Details of the reduction of thermal bridge is shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, with the structure containing PTFE insulation panels (formed as insulation plate elements 34) and panels (acting as stabilizing plate elements 31) made of metal (e.g. carbon steel). The insulation plate elements 34 and stabilizing plate elements 31 are optionally provided to improve the insulation capacity of the clamping device 30. Typically, such a pair of an insulation plate element 32 and a stabilizing plate element 31 is arranged between the first 34 and the second plate element 33 or between at least one of the of the head elements 38 and the first 34 and/or the second plate element 33. (see FIG. 6b)

(27) In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 6a and 6d, the first plate elements 34 are part of box shaped saddle piece 39 connected to the saddle structure 121 which is sandwiched between insulation plate elements 34 and the second plate elements 33 connected to the vessel 110.

(28) The plate elements 31, 32, 33 and 34 extend in a longitudinal direction, parallel to a tank vessel axis 112. Depending of the cross sectional design of the openings 37 and the corresponding joint elements 36 a controlled sliding movement between the first plate elements 34 and the second plate 20 elements 33 is possible at least at the supports 30 at one end of the vessel which may occur due to thermal expansion or contraction. As the plate elements 31, 32, 33 and 34 also extend in a radial direction to the vessel axis 112 they also allow for a radial displacement of the first plate element 34 relative to the second plate element 33.

(29) FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in which the thermal insulation between the frame 120 and the vessel 25 is further improved. A connecting plate 39 is sandwiched between insulation plate elements 34 and first plate elements 34 on the vessel side and second plate elements 33 on the frame side. Optional pairs of insulation plate elements 32 and stabilizing plate 31 elements are also provided to improve the insulation capacity of such a support. The connecting plate 39 is fabricated from steel or a different suitable material which meets the structural requirements necessary to transfer all operational (dynamic and static) loads between the vessel and the frame.

IMPLEMENTATION CASE 2

(30) Intermodal unit CRYOTAINER 16800 LNG/20 (FIGS. 2 and 5) is intended for local transport of liquefied natural gas and is composed of a horizontal vessel 110 of 16.800 liter volume clamped into a standard 20-foot (some 6 m; vas 20 in the following text) frame 120.

(31) Pressure vessel 110 is horizontally embedded in the standard ISO 40 container frame 120. All 5 further features and embodiments of the insulation arrangement 130, supports 30 and the saddle structure 121 described above in connection with implementation case 1 also apply to the tank container 100 with a single vessel 110 according to implementation case 2 (FIGS. 2 and 5).

IMPLEMENTATION CASE 3

(32) The vertical stationary pressure vessel 200 CARD 8600 LNG (FIG. 3) is intended for storage and distribution of liquefied natural gas. The volume of the vessel is 8.600 liter (the family extends from 8.600 to 15.000 liter). This vessel presents a cost effective alternative to local supply of customers on low population density areas, where a pipeline solution would prove not feasible due to high capital involvement. The use of liquefied natural gas in supply of medium and small consumers can present an option also for the supply of vehicles in traffic where it is one of the cleanest and environmentally most favorable solutions. All further features and embodiments of the insulation 130 described above in connection with implementation cases 1 and 2 also apply to the vertical stationary vessel 200 according to implementation case 3.

IMPLEMENTATION CASE 4

(33) The horizontal stationary pressure vessel 300 CARD 15600 LNG (FIG. 4) is intended for distribution of liquefied natural gas. The volume of the vessel is 15.600 liter (the family of vessels is in the range from 8.600 to 27.000 liter). This vessel presents a cost effective alternative to local supply of customers on low population density areas, where a pipeline solution would prove not feasible due 25 to high capital involvement. The use of liquefied natural gas in supply of medium and groups of small consumers can present an option also for the supply of vehicles in traffic where it is one of the cleanest and environmentally most favorable solutions.

(34) The vessel is supported by a foundation insulated with foam glass. All further features and embodiments of the insulation 130 described above in connection with implementation cases 1 and 2 also 30 apply to the horizontal stationary vessel 300 according to implementation case 4.

(35) The following features are realized at least partly in the implementation cases described above and specifically in the tank container 100, 100 according to the present invention.

(36) 1. The cryogenic equipment or device 100, 100 for transport and storage of liquefied gas is identified with the basic means of insulation the cryogenic insulation is used, predominantly nanostructure insulation based on aerogel and that there is no need for vacuum or below atmospheric pressure.

(37) 2. The cryogenic device 100, 100 from point 1 is identified by the insulation between the inner shell 12 and outer coat 7 is composed from the following components: a. The layer close to the inner vessel shell 7 includes from 7 to 14 layers 11 of cryogenic insulation in a total thickness of 80-40 mm; b. Optionally a foil 16 enveloping or separating the layers 11 of cryogenic insulation one or more thermo shrink foils 10 are placed 0.038-0.12 mm thick or some other element that serves as vapor protection and as a separation layer during eventual possible dismantling of the cryogenic insulation; c. Optionally layers of insulation foam 9, preferably expanded foam in the thickness of 30-50 mm, that will fill the void to the fire protection (8); d. Optionally a layer 8 of fire protection follows 6-18 mm thick, preferably nanostructure aerogel, which is fixed to the outer coat 7.

(38) 3. The cryogenic device 100, 100 in point 1-2 is identified with the with evaporation rates of less than 0.36% of full load per day.

(39) 4. The cryogenic device 100, 100 in point 1-3 is identified with the property of fire resistance preventing the temperature to rise, is at least 60 minutes preferably 120 minutes

(40) 5. The cryogenic device 100, 100 in point 1-4 is identified with the volumes of containerized tanks are 16.800 liter and 32.600 liter.

(41) 6. The cryogenic device 100, 100 in point 1-4 is identified with the volumes of storage tanks 30 110 are 8.600 liter in 27.000 liter

(42) 7. The cryogenic device 100, 100 in point 1-5 is identified with the clamping 30 in the ISO container is executed so that it enables free movement of the shrinking.

(43) 8. The cryogenic device 100, 100 in point 7, is identified with the clamping on one side front or back of the vessel 110 to be fixed, on the other end of the vessel 110 is not fixed but the screws 36 have space to allow deviations by means of elongated bores 37 and with screws 36 tightened with low force that prevents most friction.

(44) 9. The cryogenic device in point 8, is identified with specific clamping 30 where for maximal effect the clam is insulated with PTFE insulation plates 32 and carbon steel plates 31.

(45) The method of insulation of cryogenic devices is not based on conventional vacuum insulation but on nanostructure insulation 130.

(46) 10. The procedures to minimize the effect of the fixing of the vessel to the outer coat 7 is designed on the reduction of the heat conductivity of the support 30,prolonged heat conduction path,smaller contact surfaces,corresponding mechanical resistance and rigidity that is obtained in the following way: a. More blades 31 of thin sheet on the cold side; b. More blades 31 of thin sheet on the warm side; c. Separationthe space between the blades is separated with a layer 32 of fitting PTFE; d. The screw joint 38 is protected against loosening, since the sole function is prevention of separation or dislocation of the joint.