Method for estimating the characteristic parameters of a cryogenic tank, in particular the geometric parameters of the tank

A method of estimating characteristic geometric parameters of a double-walled cryogenic tank that is insulated with or without vacuum comprising:

• a step of measuring the pressure differential (in Pa) between the top and bottom parts of the tank before a filling (DPmes—before);
• a step of measuring the pressure differential (in Pa) between the top and bottom parts of the tank after said filling (DPmes—after);
• a step of determining the mass of liquid delivered (mdelivered) (in kg) during said filling;
• and
• a step of calculating a first geometric parameter (R) of the tank,
• the tank comprising a cylindrical portion and at least one end that has an elliptical portion of set height (F), wherein the first geometric parameter is the radius (R) of the cylinder (in m), said first geometric parameter (R) being calculated from:
• the mass of liquid delivered (mdelivered) (in kg) determined during the filling;
• the difference between the pressure differentials (DPmes) measured before and after filling (DPmes—after−DPmes—before);
• and
• the densities of the gas and of the liquid (ρg, ρl) in the tank,
• the radius (R) (in m) is calculated using the equation:
• R
• =
• m
• delivered
• 
• g
• 
• [
• 1
• -
• (
• MAVO
• )
• ]
• π
• 
• (
• DP
• mes_after
• -
• DP
• mes_before
• )
• in which the pressure differentials are expressed in Pa, π is the number Pi, g is the acceleration due to gravity of the Earth (in m/s2) and MAVO is a dimensionless corrective coefficient that is a function of the density.