Improvements relating to the insulation of containers for the storage or shipping of liquids which boil at atmospheric or slightly superatmospheric pressure

摘要

990,366. Storing liquefied gas. MINIKAY A.G. July 3, 1961 [July 15, 1960], No. 23893/61. Heading F4P. [Also in Division B7] A container 12 for liquified gas, e.g. a mixture of methane and ethane, is externally surrounded with an insulating layer 20 formed with channels 22 through which is circulated gas for diffusion communication with the layer 20, the latter being housed in a double-walled casing, the walls 44, 46 of which provide a space 48 through which also is circulated a gas. The container 12 is lined internally with an insulating layer 18. The gas circulating through the channels 22 passes round a circuit 28 containing a dehumidifier 30 in which the gas is dried by heat exchange with some of the liquified gas. The container is mounted in the hull 10 of a ship by means of spacer supports 14 and 16 of insulating material. The insulating layers 18 and 20 may be made of plastic foam, mineral wool or fibrous material, e.g. cork. The channels 22 may be parallel and extend horizontally or helically. Vapours from the liquified gas in the container and from the dehumidifier 30 pass to a chimney 40 and may be reliquified by cooling. The gas circulating through the space 48 passes round a circuit 50 containing a dehydrator 52 which may be of the adsorptive or absorptive type but which preferably comprises a rotatable wheel containing a hygroscopic mass with fine channels penetrating therethrough from end to end. Atmospheric air passes to the dehydrator 52 round a circuit 54 containing a heater 56, the dehydrator thus being of the regenerative type. The gases passing round the circuits 28 and 50 may be air, an inert gas in the gaseous state at its working temperature or a non-combustible gas, e.g. nitrogen; the gas in the circuit 50 may be carbon dioxide.