Method and Apparatus for Filling a Tank with a Cryogenic Liquid

A method for filling a tank with a cryogenic liquid from a storage unit with a filling station, during which filling operation part of the cryogenic liquid is converted to the gas phase in the tank, and in which, during the filling, at least part of the gas thus formed is discharged to an exterior of the filling station, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a filling station comprising a first channel which connects the storage unit to the tank and allows a transfer of cryogenic liquid from the storage unit to the tank and a second channel which connects a gas outlet of the tank to the filling station, the second channel allowing transfer of gases, to be discharged, from the tank to the filling station, the station further comprising a temperature probe adapted to detect the presence of cryogenic liquid in the gases transferred to the filling station from the tank and to transmit data indicating said presence to a data acquisition and processing unit;
• initiating a fill of the tank with cryogenic liquid from the storage unit via the first channel;
• and
• automatically stopping the fill of the tank with the data acquisition and processing unit upon receipt of the cryogenic liquid presence data, wherein the second channel is equipped with a back pressure regulator set to an upstream pressure setpoint corresponding to a minimum pressure in the tank necessary for a subsequent use of the tank without a need to employ a pressurizing system on the tank.

An installation for filling a tank with a cryogenic liquid from a storage unit, during which filling operation part of the cryogenic liquid is converted to the gas phase in the tank, and in which, during the filling, at least part of the gas thus formed is discharged, the installation comprising:

• a filling station;
• a first fluid channel passing through the filling station, connecting the storage unit to the tank and allowing the transfer of cryogenic liquid from the storage unit to the tank;
• a second fluid channel connecting a gas outlet of the tank to the filling station and serving to transfer the gases to be discharged to the filling station;
• a temperature probe adapted to detect a presence of cryogenic liquid in the gas transferred to the station and send data indicating said presence;
• a data acquisition and processing unit adapted to receive the presence data from the temperature probe, and upon said receipt, automatically filling of the tank with cryogenic liquid from the storage unit, wherein the second channel is equipped with a back pressure regulator, the back pressure regulator being set to an upstream pressure setpoint serving to reach a minimum pressure in the tank that is necessary for a subsequent use of the tank without a need to employ a pressurizing system.