Thermally protected liquid acquisition device for cryogenic fluids

A cryogenic tank having a tank wall and containing bulk tank fluid and including a tank outlet for discharging liquid phase cryogenic fluid, comprising:

• a liquid acquisition device for acquiring and containing fluid in substantially liquid phase, the liquid acquisition device being configured as a surface tension basket completely enclosed by one of the walls being mounted in spaced, non-contacting relation to the tank wall such that the liquid phase cryogenic fluid contained within the surface tension basket is thermally isolated from an inner surface of the tank wall, the liquid acquisition device retaining liquid when surrounded by gas during migration of the liquid in the bulk tank fluid away from the tank outlet;
• a secondary heat exchanger mounted to the liquid acquisition device for chilling the liquid contained within the liquid acquisition device;
• the surface tension basket has only a single liquid acquisition outlet for liquid flow out of the surface tension basket;
• a spray injection system for receiving the liquid from the liquid acquisition device and spraying the liquid into the bulk tank fluid, the bottom of the spray injection system being mounted to and receiving liquid from the single liquid acquisition device outlet.

A method of controlling pressure within a cryogenic tank containing bulk tank fluid and including a tank outlet for discharging liquid phase cryogenic fluid, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a liquid acquisition device being configured as a surface tension basket completely enclosed by walls, each one of the walls being mounted in spaced, non-contacting relation to the tank wall;
• filling the liquid acquisition device at least partially with liquid from the bulk tank fluid such that the liquid phase cryogenic fluid contained within the surface tension basket is thermally isolated from an inner surface of the tank wall;
• retaining liquid within the liquid acquisition device when the liquid acquisition device is surrounded by gas during migration of the liquid in the bulk tank fluid away from the tank outlet;
• providing a flow of liquid from a single liquid acquisition outlet to a bottom of a spray injection system, the bottom of the spray injection system being mounted to the single liquid acquisition device outlet, the single liquid acquisition outlet being the only outlet for liquid flow out of the surface tension basket;
• and spraying the liquid into the bulk tank fluid for thermal destratification thereof.