Design and Analysis of Semitrailer Type Cryogenic Vessel for Transportation of Liquid Argon

Abstract

Semitrailer is a trailer which has only rear axle, it is coupled to prime-mover with detachable front axle. It is used in storage and transportation of liquid products. Entire vehicle includes prime-mover, vacuum insulated pressure vessel, mobile chassis, support system and operation box to accommodate piping and valves for filling and delivering the liquid content. Weight limitations on transportation vehicle leads to development of aluminium and other likely cryogenic vessels to maximize payload of cryogenic liquid. Design of vessel is critical as the boiling point of Liquid Argon is -186OC and the vessel is subjected to internal pressure of 3 bar. Cryogenic vessel is double layered vessel and vacuum with super-insulation is provided in the annular space between inner vessel and outer vessel to minimize the path for heat migration. Outer Vessel is subjected to atmospheric pressure and temperature. For design of vessels, different international codes such as Australian Association Standard, Belgium Standard, and ASME code are used. Design calculations for inner vessel is accomplished by ASME Section VIII Division I and design calculations for outer vessel is accomplished by CGA-341-“Specification for Insulated Cargo Tank for Non-flammable Cryogenic Liquids”. It is important to be able to transport maximum payload without exceeding maximum permitted axle weight because an uneven load will cause the vehicle to lean on one side. So by taking into account prime-mover details, safe load distribution on vehicle helps the vehicle for smooth running without leaning on one side.