Method and Apparatus for Filling a Tank with a Cryogenic Liquid

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for filling a tank with a cryogenic liquid from a storage unit, a filling process during which a part of the cryogenic liquid is transformed into a gas phase in the tank, and in which, during the filling, at least part of the gas thus formed is discharged, characterized in that the method comprises providing a filling station containing a first channel which connects the storage unit to the tank and enables the transfer of cryogenic liquid from the storage unit to the tank, and a second channel which connects a gas outlet of the tank to the filling station and makes it possible to transfer the gases to be discharged from the tank to the filling station, where said gases will be discharged to the outside, the station comprising a means for detecting the presence of cryogenic liquid in the gas transferred to the station, the detection information being transmitted to a unit for acquiring and processing data, inside or outside the station, suitable for automatically stopping the filling apparatus when the tank is considered to be full.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for filling a tank with a cryogenic liquid from a storage unit with a filling station, during which filling operation part of the cryogenic liquid is converted to the gas phase in the tank, and in which, during the filling, at least part of the gas thus formed is discharged to an exterior of the filling station, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a filling station comprising a first channel which connects the storage unit to the tank and allows a transfer of cryogenic liquid from the storage unit to the tank and a second channel which connects a gas outlet of the tank to the filling station, the second channel allowing transfer of gases, to be discharged, from the tank to the filling station, the station further comprising a temperature probe adapted to detect the presence of cryogenic liquid in the gases transferred to the filling station from the tank and to transmit data indicating said presence to a data acquisition and processing unit;   initiating a fill of the tank with cryogenic liquid from the storage unit via the first channel; and   automatically stopping the fill of the tank with the data acquisition and processing unit upon receipt of the cryogenic liquid presence data, wherein the second channel is equipped with a back pressure regulator set to an upstream pressure setpoint corresponding to a minimum pressure in the tank necessary for a subsequent use of the tank without a need to employ a pressurizing system on the tank.   
     
     
         16 . The filling method of  claim 15 , wherein the temperature probe is located on the second channel, the temperature detecting the presence of cryogenic liquid in the second channel by detecting an abnormally high drop in temperature in the gas transferred to the station. 
     
     
         17 . The filling method of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second channels comprise first and second double couplers:
 the first double coupler at which a flexible portion of the first channel connecting the storage unit to the tank terminates, and from which a flexible portion of the second channel connecting the gas outlet of the tank to the station issues;   a second double coupler at which a flexible portion of the second channel connecting the gas outlet of the tank to the station terminates, and from which a flexible portion of the first channel connecting the storage unit to the tank issues;   one of the two double couplers being of a male type while the other of the double couplers is of a female type, connection of the two double couplers ensuring the continuity of fluids in the first and second channels.   
     
     
         18 . The filling method of  claim 17 , wherein said second double coupler is in fluid connection with an upper part of the tank. 
     
     
         19 . The filling method of  claim 15 , wherein
 the filling station further comprises a purge line equipped with a solenoid valve, an upstream portion of the purge line being connected to the first channel; and   the purge line is optionally also connected to the second channel thereby allowing a discharge to the exterior of the station of the gases discharged from the tank to the station.   
     
     
         20 . The filling method of  claim 19 , wherein at least a portion of the first channel connecting the storage unit to the tank is purged after the filling is stopped by the data acquisition and processing unit, by opening the solenoid valve located on the purge line after a predefined time t 1 . 
     
     
         21 . The filling method of  claim 17 , wherein the flexible portion of the first channel connecting the storage unit to the first double coupler is purged, by opening the solenoid valve after a predefined time t 1 . 
     
     
         22 . The filling method of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the flexible portion of the first channel connecting the storage unit to the first double coupler is purged by detecting a correct positioning of the first double coupler on a fastening element present on the filling station via a positioning sensor; and   the fastening of said first double coupler to said element automatically initiates the purging of the flexible portion of the first channel.   
     
     
         23 . The filling method of  claim 15 , wherein the tank is present on a truck used to transport and distribute heat-sensitive products pharmaceuticals or food products. 
     
     
         24 . An installation for filling a tank with a cryogenic liquid from a storage unit, during which filling operation part of the cryogenic liquid is converted to the gas phase in the tank, and in which, during the filling, at least part of the gas thus formed is discharged, the installation comprising:
 a filling station;   a first fluid channel passing through the filling station, connecting the storage unit to the tank and allowing the transfer of cryogenic liquid from the storage unit to the tank;   a second fluid channel connecting a gas outlet of the tank to the filling station and serving to transfer the gases to be discharged to the filling station;   a temperature probe adapted to detect a presence of cryogenic liquid in the gas transferred to the station and send data indicating said presence;   a data acquisition and processing unit adapted to receive the presence data from the temperature probe, and upon said receipt, automatically filling of the tank with cryogenic liquid from the storage unit, wherein the second channel is equipped with a back pressure regulator, the back pressure regulator being set to an upstream pressure setpoint serving to reach a minimum pressure in the tank that is necessary for a subsequent use of the tank without a need to employ a pressurizing system.   
     
     
         25 . The filling installation of  claim 24 , wherein the temperature probe is located on said second channel and is adapted to detect an abnormally high drop in temperature in the gas transferred to the station indicating the presence of the cryogenic liquid in the second channel. 
     
     
         26 . The filling installation of  claim 24 , wherein:
 the first and second channels comprise first and second double couplers;   the first double coupler at which a flexible portion of the first channel connecting the storage unit to the tank terminates and from which a flexible portion of the second channel connecting the gas outlet of the tank to the station issues;   the second double coupler at which a flexible portion of the second channel connecting the gas outlet of the tank to the station terminates and from which a flexible portion of the first channel connecting the storage unit to the tank issues; and   one of the double couplers being of a male type while the other of the double couplers is of a female type, connection of the two double couplers ensuring continuity of fluids in the first and second channels.   
     
     
         27 . The filling installation of  claim 24 , wherein said second double coupler is in fluid connection with the upper part of the tank. 
     
     
         28 . The filling installation of  claim 24 , further comprising a purge line equipped with a solenoid valve, upstream portion of the purge line being connected to the first channel, wherein the second channel which transfers the gases to be discharged to the filling station is optionally connected to the purge line thereby allowing discharge to an exterior of the station via the purge line of the gases discharged from the tank and transferred to the station. 
     
     
         29 . The filling installation of  claim 24 , wherein the tank is present on a truck used to transport and distribute heat-sensitive pharmaceuticals or food products.