SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STORAGE AND DELIVERY OF CRYOGENIC LIQUID AIR

摘要

An apparatus for storing liquid air (a cryogenic mixture of about 80% liquid nitrogen and about 20% liquid oxygen) in a stable condition within a storage vessel by providing a heat exchanger in fluid communication with vaporized liquid air within vessel condense the vaporized liquid air back to liquid form. This will result in condensing the nitrogen-rich vapor into the mass as a liquid, thereby reducing ullage pressure, cooling the mass, and ultimately precluding oxygen-enrichment through boil-off. A cryocooler may be mounted externally to the vessel and in fluid communication with an interior of the vessel to condense liquid air vaporized within the vessel. The system may be used to supply air to safe haven areas of a mine or building, or piped in through a building HVAC system and/or mounted on vehicle.

主权项

1. A system for storing a cryogenic mixture of liquid air and providing a source of breathable air, comprising:
an insulated storage vessel containing a cryogenic mixture of liquid air comprising liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen, and the liquid air is maintained within the first storage vessel within a predetermined temperature range; and, a heat exchanger connected to the storage vessel to condense liquid air that vaporizes within the vessel and return to a liquid phase in the cryogenic mixture, and thereby reduce a pressure within the first storage vessel within a predetermined pressure range; and, a vaporizing unit external of the storage in fluid communication with an interior of the vessel and in which liquid air passes and vaporizes and exits the unit as breathable air.