Cryogenic vessel with an ullage space venturi assembly

• US 7,131,277 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2005
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Taylor-Wharton International LLC
• Original Assignee: Harsco Technologies Corporation (Harsco Corporation)
• Inventors: Gish, Justin Charles, Hall, Ivan Keith, Palframan, Karl
• Primary Examiner(s): Ali, Mohammad M.
• Application Number:
  US11/151,392
• Publication Number:
  US 20060037328A1
• Time in Patent Office: 512 Days
• Field of Search: 62/451, 62/62, 62/531, 62/504, 62/532, 141/3, 141/7, 141/8, 141/20
• US Class Current: 62/45.1
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/0104 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/035 with substantially horizontal main axis
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/052 large (>1000 m3)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2201/054 medium (>1 m3)
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0391 by vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2203/0629 Two walls
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0149 Vessel mounted inside another one
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/011 Oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/012 Hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/013 Carbone dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/014 Nitrogen
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/033 Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0161 cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/033 Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/046 in the liquid
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/0161 cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/033 Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2225/046 in the liquid
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/021 Avoiding over pressurising
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 3/08 by vacuum spaces, e.g. Dewar flask for household use A47J41/02
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 6/00 : Methods and apparatus for filling vessels not under pressure with liquefied or solidified gases
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 9/00 : Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 : Hydrogen storage

Abstract

A cryogenic vessel includes a first, outer vessel assembly having an outer vessel and a liquid fill line assembly and a second, ullage space vessel having a bottom and disposed within the first, outer vessel, adjacent to the top of the first, outer vessel. The liquid fill line assembly has a venturi assembly adjacent the bottom of the ullage space vessel. The venturi assembly is structured to create a low pressure zone, relative to the ullage space vessel, during a fill procedure whereby, during a fill procedure, fluid is drawn from within the ullage space vessel into the fill line assembly.

Claims

1. A cryogenic vessel comprising:

a first, outer vessel assembly having an outer vessel and a liquid fill line assembly;

a second, ullage space vessel having a bottom and disposed within said first, outer vessel;

said liquid fill line assembly having a venturi assembly adjacent to, and in fluid communication with, the bottom of said ullage space vessel; and

said venturi assembly structured to create a low pressure zone, relative to said ullage space vessel during a fill procedure whereby, during a fill procedure, fluid is drawn from said ullage space vessel into said fill line assembly.

2. The cryogenic vessel of claim 1, wherein said fill line assembly extends through said ullage space vessel.

3. The cryogenic vessel of claim 2, wherein:

said venturi assembly includes a tubular body having an inner surface with a first diameter, an outer surface, and a venturi opening;

said venturi opening in fluid communication with said ullage space vessel; and

said fill line assembly having a second diameter, wherein said venturi assembly first diameter is smaller than said fill line assembly second diameter.

4. The cryogenic vessel of claim 3, wherein said venturi opening is disposed adjacent to the bottom of the ullage space vessel.

5. The cryogenic vessel of claim 4, wherein:

said ullage space vessel having a first and a second opening in said ullage space vessel sidewall;

said second opening disposed at the bottom of said ullage space vessel sidewall;

said fill line assembly further includes a first portion and a second portion;

said first portion extending through said ullage space vessel and coupled to said venturi assembly;

said venturi assembly extending through said ullage space vessel second opening; and

said second portion coupled to said venturi assembly and extending outside of said ullage space vessel.

6. The cryogenic vessel of claim 5, wherein said second pipe portion includes a spray head.

7. The cryogenic vessel of claim 1, wherein:

said venturi assembly includes a tubular body having an inner surface with a first diameter, an outer surface, and a venturi opening;

said venturi opening in fluid communication with said ullage space vessel; and

said fill line assembly having a second diameter, wherein said venturi assembly first diameter is smaller than said fill line assembly second diameter.

8. The cryogenic vessel of claim 7, wherein said venturi opening is disposed adjacent to the bottom of the ullage space vessel.