Apparatus for storing a multi-component cryogenic liquid
AssigneeThe BOC Group, Inc.
InventorRon C. Lee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for storing a multi-component cryogenic liquid in which headspace vapor in a storage tank is condensed in an external condensation tank through indirect heat exchange with liquid being vented from the storage tank. The resulting condensate can then be re-introduced into the storage tank through a pressure building circuit applied to the external condensation tank. In such manner, the pressure within the storage tank is regulated and the composition of the liquid stored within the storage tank is held with some degree of consistency. The use of an external condensation tank allows prior art cryogenic storage tanks and dewars to be retrofitted to store a multi-component cryogenic liquids.
Claims7
An apparatus for storing a multi-component cryogenic liquid comprising:
- a storage tank to contain said multi-component cryogenic liquid;
- a condensation tank located external to said storage tank for condensing headspace vapor;
- heat exchange means located within said condensation tank for condensing said head space vapor, said heat exchange means in communication with said storage tank and vented to atmosphere so that a liquid stream from said storage tank vaporizes within said heat exchange means against said condensation of said head space vapor and vents to said atmosphere;
- actuable valve means for permitting said liquid stream to flow to said heat exchange means when pressure within said headspace region is above a predetermined value;
- said condensation tank connected to said storage tank to permit said headspace vapor to flow from a headspace region of said storage tank to said condensation tank and said condensed headspace vapor to flow back into said storage tank;
- and
- means for driving said condensed headspace vapor back into said storage tank after said pressure falls below said predetermined value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.