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US 2022/0136656 A1Published application
Systems and methods for storing liquid hydrogen
AssigneeUniversal Hydrogen Co.
InventorsJohn-Paul Clarke, Loris Gliner, John T. Hinchen, Jonathan Kalow, Elena Koukina
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides a storage system comprising a storage tank configured to store fuel at a cryogenic temperature for a predetermined amount of time. The storage tank may have a plurality of layers comprising: a first layer comprising a pressure vessel for containing the fuel at a pressurized state; a second layer comprising insulation for the first layer; a third layer comprising a vapor barrier; and a fourth layer comprising a shell configured to maintain a rigidity of the storage tank.
Claims28
A storage system comprising:
- a storage tank configured to store fuel at a cryogenic temperature, wherein the storage tank has a plurality of layers comprising:
- a first layer that forms a pressure vessel for containing the fuel at the cryogenic temperature and at a pressurized state;
- a second layer comprising insulation for the first layer;
- a third layer comprising an outer shell configured to maintain a rigidity of the storage tank;
- and
- a plurality of retention strap assemblies interconnecting the first layer and the third layer and allowing for movement of the first layer relative to the third layer due to contraction and expansion of the first layer, each retention strap assembly comprising a strap member configured to pivot and maintain a constant length and tension as the pressure vessel expands and contract relative to the outer shell
- wherein the storage tank is configured to store liquid hydrogen at the cryogenic temperature for a period of time up to approximately 80 hours without venting.
4 more elements
A hydrogen fuel storage system comprising:
- a storage tank configured to store hydrogen fuel, wherein the storage tank comprises an internal pressure vessel configured to contain the hydrogen fuel in at least a liquid phase and at a pressurized state;
- an outer shell space radially apart from the pressure vessel to form a volume between the outer shell and the pressure vessel, wherein the volume is maintained at a vacuum, and insulation in the volume and configured to block thermal transfer across the volume between the pressure vessel and the outer shell;
- a plurality of retention members in the volume and supporting the pressure vessel in the volume and spaced apart from the outer shell, wherein the retention members are configured to allow for movement of the pressure vessel relative to the outer shell due to thermal contraction and expansion of the pressure vessel while maintaining constant tension within the retention members as the pressure vessel expands and contracts relative to the outer shell;
- and
- a line connection body connected to the outer shell and positioned in or adjacent to the volume between the outer shell and the pressure vessel, an external fuel line exterior of the outer shell, a fuel pickup line at least partially within the pressure vessel and in fluid communication with the external fuel outlet line through the line connection body, and an expansion bellows connected to the line connection body and to a proximal end of the fuel pickup line, wherein the expansion bellows is configured to expand and contract upon the thermal contraction and expansion of the pressure vessel relative to the outer shell.
2 more elements
A hydrogen fuel storage system comprising:
- a storage tank configured to store hydrogen fuel, wherein the storage tank comprises an internal pressure vessel configured to contain the hydrogen fuel in at least a liquid phase and at a pressurized state;
- an outer shell spaced radially apart from the pressure vessel to form a volume between the outer shell and the pressure vessel, wherein the volume is maintained at a vacuum, and wherein the outer shell and/or the pressure vessel provide a vapor barrier that blocks transmission of hydrogen gas through the storage tank;
- and
- a line connection body connected to the outer shell and positioned in or adjacent to the volume between the outer shell and the pressure vessel, an external fuel line exterior of the outer shell, a fuel pickup line at least partially within the pressure vessel and in fluid communication with the external fuel outlet line through the line connection body, and an expansion bellows connected to the line connection body and to a proximal end of the fuel pickup line, wherein the expansion bellows is configured to expand and contract upon the thermal contraction and expansion of the pressure vessel relative to the outer shell.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.