Optimization of thermal insulation performance of cryogenic vessel based on actively cooled thermal shield insulation

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20250442

Abstract

Abstract:

Ultra-low temperature liquid storage technology faces technical bottlenecks of high heat leakage of passive insulation scheme and high energy consumption of active insulation scheme. This paper proposes a thermal transfer model that couples actively cooled thermal shield (ACTS) insulation with multi-layer insulation (MLI) to minimize both heat leakage and cooling power consumption in cryogenic vessels. An experimental setup for evaluating the ACTS insulation performance was established based on a liquid helium vessel, and the transient temperature variation and heat transfer behavior of MLI and ACTS were analyzed to validate the accuracy of the theoretical model. Through parameter optimization studies, the effects of ACTS temperature, position, and quantity on the MLI temperature gradient field, heat flux distribution, and cooling power consumption were revealed. The results show that ACTS controls the temperature gradient, extending the cryogenic region of MLI and reducing the temperature difference between the cryogenic vessel and ACTS. The optimal temperature and position for a single ACTS insulation are 73.6 K and 0.425, respectively, with a high-temperature threshold of 150 K. For a dual ACTS insulation system, the optimal positions are 0.2375 and 0.5875, with temperatures of 36.4 K and 128.7 K, leading to a 24.6% reduction in the comprehensive evaluation factor compared to the single ACTS insulation. The three ACTS insulation systems reduce the heat flux density of the cryogenic vessel to 0.0202 W/m², which is 44.6% and 28.5% lower than the single and dual ACTS insulation systems, respectively, verifying the significant advantages of multiple ACTS in improving the insulation performance of cryogenic vessels. This study provides theoretical and data support for optimizing the active thermal insulation performance of cryogenic vessels.

Key words: cryogenic vessel, cryogenic insulation, actively cooled thermal shield, heat transfer, thermodynamics, optimization

摘要：

超低温液体储存技术面临被动绝热方案热泄漏高与主动绝热方案能耗大的技术瓶颈。提出主动冷却屏（actively cooled thermal shield，ACTS）绝热与多层绝热（multi-layer insulation，MLI）耦合的热传递模型，以实现超低温容器热泄漏与冷却功耗的协同最小化。基于液氦容器搭建ACTS绝热性能实验装置，分析了MLI和ACTS的瞬态温度变化及热传递规律，验证了理论模型的精度。通过参数优化研究，揭示了ACTS温度、位置及数量对MLI温度梯度场、热通量分布及冷却能耗的影响机制。结果表明，ACTS通过温度梯度扩大了MLI的低温区，减小了低温容器与ACTS之间的温差；单ACTS的最佳温度和位置分别为73.6 K、0.425（位置0为冷端），温度临界值为150 K；双ACTS的最佳位置分别为0.2375、0.5875，其最佳温度为36.4、128.7 K，综合评价因子较单ACTS降低24.6%；三ACTS方案将热通量降低至0.0202 W/m²，相较于单/双ACTS分别降低44.6%、28.5%，验证了多个ACTS改善超低温容器绝热性能的显著优势。该研究为超低温容器主动绝热性能控制提供了理论依据与数据支撑。

关键词: 低温容器, 低温绝热, 主动冷却屏, 传热, 热力学, 优化

CLC Number:

TB 661

Xin WANG, Kuan SU, Ming ZHU, Wenchao HAN, Yaohua CHEN, Dongliang CUI, Liang CHENG, Shuping CHEN. Optimization of thermal insulation performance of cryogenic vessel based on actively cooled thermal shield insulation[J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(10): 5437-5452.

王鑫, 苏宽, 朱鸣, 韩文超, 陈耀华, 崔栋梁, 程亮, 陈叔平. 基于主动冷屏绝热的超低温容器保冷性能优化[J]. 化工学报, 2025, 76(10): 5437-5452.

Figures/Tables 19

Fig.1 Heat transfer schematic diagram

Fig.2 Program flow chart

Fig.3 Experimental device and flow chart

Fig.4 Temperature measuring point

Table 1 Measurement accuracy and range of experimental instruments

项目	设备	品牌	类型	测量范围	测量精度
温度	二极管温度传感器	Lake Shore	DT-670-SD	1.4~500 K	±12 mK, ±0.8% R
N₂流量	气体质量流量计Ⅰ	ALICAT	M-Series	0~10 SLPM	±0.2% F.S., ±0.4% R
He流量	气体质量流量计Ⅱ	ALICAT	M-Series	0~5 SLPM	±0.2% F.S
MLI厚度	游标直径尺	在宇工具	JC300	300~600 mm	±0.04 mm

Fig.5 Temperature curve of measuring point

Fig.6 Evaporation flow curve

Fig.7 Verification of heat transfer model

Fig.8 Effect of single ACTS temperature and position on the evaluation factor

Fig.9 Effect of dual ACTS temperature and position on the evaluation factor

Fig.10 Optimal solution for the typical position of single ACTS

Fig.11 Optimal solution for the typical position of dual ACTS

Fig.12 Effect of ACTS on MLI temperature

Fig.13 Effect of single ACTS position on MLI heat flux

Fig.14 Effect of dual ACTS position on MLI heat flux

Fig.15 Effect of single ACTS temperature and position on cold energy and cooling power

Fig.16 Effect of dual ACTS temperature and position on cold energy

Fig.17 Effect of dual ACTS temperature and position on cooling power

Table 2 Optimal position and temperature of ACTS in different quantities

ACTS数量	T_ACTS1/K	T_ACTS2/K	T_ACTS3/K	q₁/(W/m²)	q₂/(W/m²)	q₃/(W/m²)	q₄/(W/m²)	ACTS1	ACTS2	ACTS3	P/W	F
1	73.6	—	—	0.0365	1.132	—	—	0.4250	—	—	1.72	0.780
2	36.4	128.7	—	0.0261	0.366	1.573	—	0.2375	0.5875	—	1.74	0.626
3	21.2	88.6	187.3	0.0202	0.128	0.569	1.861	0.1125	0.4000	0.725	1.61	0.548

References 36

[1]	Berstad D, Gardarsdottir S, Roussanaly S, et al. Liquid hydrogen as prospective energy carrier: a brief review and discussion of underlying assumptions applied in value chain analysis[J]. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2022, 154: 111772.
[2]	Yatsenko E A, Goltsman B M, Novikov Y V, et al. Review on modern ways of insulation of reservoirs for liquid hydrogen storage[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2022, 47(97): 41046-41054.
[3]	陈晓露, 刘小敏, 王娟, 等. 液氢储运技术及标准化[J]. 化工进展, 2021, 40(9): 4806-4814.
	Chen X L, Liu X M, Wang J, et al. Technology and standardization of liquid hydrogen storage and transportation[J]. Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress, 2021, 40(9): 4806-4814.
[4]	Yin L, Yang H N, Ju Y L. Review on the key technologies and future development of insulation structure for liquid hydrogen storage tanks[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2024, 57: 1302-1315.
[5]	蒋文兵, 黄永华, 耑锐, 等. 液氦贮存容器中热声振荡发生条件及抑制措施[J]. 真空与低温, 2018, 24(3): 193-199.
	Jiang W B, Huang Y H, Zhuan R, et al. Trigger conditions and suppression measures of thermoacoustic oscillations in liquid helium vessels[J]. Vacuum and Cryogenics, 2018, 24(3): 193-199.
[6]	Shu Q S, Demko J, Fesmire J, et al. Design, configuration, and thermal optimization of advanced cryostats[J]. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2024, 1301(1): 012041.
[7]	Morales-Ospino R, Celzard A, Fierro V. Strategies to recover and minimize boil-off losses during liquid hydrogen storage[J]. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2023, 182: 113360.
[8]	Wang H R, Wang B, Xu T C, et al. Thermal models for self-pressurization prediction of liquid hydrogen tanks: formulation, validation, assessment, and prospects[J]. Fuel, 2024, 365: 131247.
[9]	Li K, Wen J, Xin B P, et al. Transient-state modeling and thermodynamic analysis of self-pressurization liquid hydrogen tank considering effect of vacuum multi-layer insulation coupled with vapor-cooled shield[J]. Energy, 2024, 286: 129450.
[10]	Notardonato W U, Swanger A M, Fesmire J E, et al. Zero boil-off methods for large-scale liquid hydrogen tanks using integrated refrigeration and storage[J]. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2017, 278: 012012.
[11]	汪彬, 王天祥, 黄永华, 等. 液氢贮箱热力学排气系统建模及控压特性[J]. 化工学报, 2016, 67(S2): 20-25.
	Wang B, Wang T X, Huang Y H, et al. Modeling and pressure control characteristics of thermodynamic venting system in liquid hydrogen storage tank[J]. CIESC Journal, 2016, 67(S2): 20-25.
[12]	Zheng J P, Chen L B, Wang J, et al. Thermodynamic analysis and comparison of four insulation schemes for liquid hydrogen storage tank[J]. Energy Conversion and Management, 2019, 186: 526-534.
[13]	Kanda M, Matsumoto K, Yamaguchi S. Heat transfer through multi-layer insulation (MLI)[J]. Physica C: Superconductivity and its Applications, 2021, 583: 1353799.
[14]	蒋文兵, 胡聪, 孙培杰, 等. 蓄冷能力对液氢贮箱蒸气冷却屏瞬态特性的影响[J]. 工程热物理学报, 2023, 44(5): 1161-1168.
	Jiang W B, Hu C, Sun P J, et al. Effect of cooling storage capacity on the transient characteristics of the vapor cooled shield for liquid hydrogen storage tank[J]. Journal of Engineering Thermophysics, 2023, 44(5): 1161-1168.
[15]	Yang Y L, Jiang W B, Huang Y H. Experiment on transient thermodynamic behavior of a cryogenic storage tank protected by a composite insulation structure[J]. Energy, 2023, 270: 126929.
[16]	Jiang W B, Sun P J, Li P, et al. Transient thermal behavior of multi-layer insulation coupled with vapor cooled shield used for liquid hydrogen storage tank[J]. Energy, 2021, 231: 120859.
[17]	Zhang C G, Li C J, Jia W L, et al. Thermodynamic study on thermal insulation schemes for liquid helium storage tank[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2021, 195: 117185.
[18]	Jiang W B, Zuo Z Q, Sun P J, et al. Thermal analysis of coupled vapor-cooling-shield insulation for liquid hydrogen-oxygen pair storage[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2022, 47(12): 8000-8014.
[19]	李科, 文键, 忻碧平. 耦合蒸气冷却屏的真空多层绝热结构对液氢储罐自增压过程的影响机制研究[J]. 化工学报, 2023, 74(9): 3786-3796.
	Li K, Wen J, Xin B P. Study on influence mechanism of vacuum multi-layer insulation coupled with vapor-cooled shield on self-pressurization process of liquid hydrogen storage tank[J]. CIESC Journal, 2023, 74(9): 3786-3796.
[20]	Liang J J, Li C, Ma Y, et al. Study on transient thermal performance of coupled vapor-cooled shield insulation for liquid hydrogen tank during the on-orbit period[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2025, 266: 125665.
[21]	Wang B, Huang Y H, Li P, et al. Optimization of variable density multilayer insulation for cryogenic application and experimental validation[J]. Cryogenics, 2016, 80: 154-163.
[22]	Xu Z L, Tan H B, Wu H. Performance comparison of multilayer insulation coupled with vapor cooled shield and different para-ortho hydrogen conversion types[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2023, 234: 121250.
[23]	Lv H Y, Zhang Z X, Chen L, et al. Thermodynamic analysis of vapor-cooled shield with para-to-ortho hydrogen conversion in composite multilayer insulation structure for liquid hydrogen tank[J]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2024, 50: 1448-1462.
[24]	Jiang W B, Zuo Z Q, Huang Y H, et al. Coupling optimization of composite insulation and vapor-cooled shield for on-orbit cryogenic storage tank[J]. Cryogenics, 2018, 96: 90-98.
[25]	Jiang W B, Yang Y L, Hu C, et al. Experimental study on composite insulation with foam, multilayer and vapor cooled shield for cryogen storage under different vacuum conditions[J]. Cryogenics, 2023, 129: 103604.
[26]	Leng Y K, Zhang S Q, Wang X Y, et al. Comparative study on thermodynamic performance of liquid hydrogen storage insulation system incorporating vapor-cooled shield with para-ortho hydrogen conversion by one-dimensional and quasi-two-dimensional model[J]. Energy Conversion and Management, 2024, 321:119068.
[27]	Zheng J P, Chen L B, Cui C, et al. Experimental study on composite insulation system of spray on foam insulation and variable density multilayer insulation[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2018, 130: 161-168.
[28]	Barone G, Roccella S, Martelli E, et al. DTT thermal shield: preliminary thermal analysis[J]. Fusion Engineering and Design, 2020, 158: 111725.
[29]	Kamiya K, Natsume K, Fukui K, et al. Summary of thermal analyses to determine the refrigeration power for the JT-60SA helium refrigerator[J]. Cryogenics, 2019, 99: 51-60.
[30]	Lebrun P. Superfluid helium cryogenics for the large hadron collider project at CERN[J]. Cryogenics, 1994, 34: 1-8.
[31]	Plachta D W. Hybrid thermal control testing of a cryogenic propellant tank[R]. Canada: Advances in Cryogenic Engineering, 1999.
[32]	Nilles M J, Lehmann G A. Thermal contact conductance and thermal shield design for superconducting magnet systems[M]//Advances in Cryogenic Engineering. Boston, MA: Springer US, 1994: 397-402.
[33]	Scott R B. Thermal design of large storage vessels for liquid hydrogen and helium[J]. Journal of Research of the National Bureau of Standards, 1957, 58(6): 317.
[34]	Zhang M, Zhong H Y, Ren Y, et al. Thermal analysis of the EAST Tokamak[J]. Fusion Engineering and Design, 2021, 168: 112352.
[35]	Claudet S, Brodzinski K, Darras V, et al. Helium inventory management and losses for LHC cryogenics: strategy and results for run 1[J]. Physics Procedia, 2015, 67: 66-71.
[36]	李均方, 张瑞春, 陈吉刚. 液氦储罐发展现状及关键技术[J]. 低温与特气, 2021, 39(5): 8-10, 18.
	Li J F, Zhang R C, Chen J G. Current situation and key technology of liquid helium storage tank[J]. Low Temperature and Specialty Gases, 2021, 39(5): 8-10, 18.