Cryogenic Pressure Vessels
During my professional career, I have had the privilege of working with cryogenic pressure vessels, delving into their design, optimization, and regulatory considerations. From my internship experience at Advanced Lightweight Engineering in Delft, Netherlands, to establishing my own consultancy firm called Asian Airwise Solutions, I have gained valuable insights into the fascinating world of cryogenic pressure vessels. In this section, I will highlight some of my notable experiences and accomplishments in this field.
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As a Mechanical Design Engineer Intern at Advanced Lightweight Engineering, I had the opportunity to contribute to the development of a novel double-walled cryogenic Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tank for automotive propulsion. My primary responsibility was to design the composite support structure for the tank, aiming to optimize its fuel capacity. Using Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis, I successfully verified the design, resulting in a remarkable 20% increase in fuel capacity. Additionally, I developed a thermodynamic model to estimate heat leak from the support structures of cryogenic tanks, enhancing our understanding of their performance characteristics.
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Building upon my internship experience, I founded my own consultancy company called Asian Airwise Solutions, specializing in cryogenic pressure vessels. One of the notable projects I undertook involved evaluating the feasibility of various weight reduction concepts for a double-walled cryogenic trailer. Through a comprehensive examination of structural and material changes, ranging from honeycomb structures to composite overwrapped vessels and dimpled vessels, I identified potential solutions that could significantly reduce costs for the operator. Taking into account technical, manufacturing, and economic factors, I presented detailed feasibility reports, outlining the benefits and challenges associated with each concept. Furthermore, I extensively studied regulatory standards such as ADR and EN 13530, ensuring compliance and proposing effective strategies to overcome regulatory hurdles. As a result, the optimized ideas that were likely to receive regulatory approval helped save approximately 2 tonnes per truck per year, translating to a substantial benefit of 90,000 Euros per tonne.
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During my literature review, I was fascinated by the different strategies employed in pressure vessels to account for thermal expansion and contraction, ensuring the structural integrity and reliability of the systems under varying operating conditions.
One additional aspect that intrigued me was the implementation of vacuum maintenance strategies, such as selecting materials with low outgassing properties and utilizing heat treatments during manufacturing processes. I also explored the sizing and selection of getter materials to maintain vacuum levels effectively.
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The future of cryogenic pressure vessels is exciting with the proliferation of structural Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) and utilization of Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCPs), especially in context of Liquid Hydrogen Pressure Vessels.
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My experience with cryogenic pressure vessels has been both enriching and challenging. From my initial involvement as an intern to establishing my own consultancy company, I have actively contributed to the optimization, feasibility assessment, and regulatory compliance of cryogenic pressure vessel projects. I continue to be fascinated by the advancements and potential applications in this field. If you would like to explore this topic further or discuss potential collaborations, please feel free to contact me.
