Does an LNG tank need to be vacuumed if it loses insulation?
2 Answers
Generally, an LNG cylinder that loses insulation cannot be repaired. Structurally, an LNG cylinder consists of two layers with a vacuum-sealed interlayer for insulation. Creating this vacuum requires specialized equipment like a vacuum pump. If an LNG cylinder loses insulation, it indicates poor vacuum integrity, and the standard procedure is to return the cylinder to the manufacturer for vacuum reprocessing. Below are specific details about LNG: 1. Fuel System: The fuel systems of LNG vehicles are fundamentally similar. They store LNG in onboard tanks, vaporize it to approximately 0.5MPa gas for engine use via a vaporizer. Key components include the LNG tank, vaporizer, pressure regulator, mixer, and control system. 2. Benefits: Adopting LNG vehicles significantly reduces fuel costs, boosting operational profits. Using cleaner LNG as vehicle fuel drastically cuts tailpipe emissions, delivering substantial environmental benefits. According to BP China's carbon emission calculator, each LNG vehicle reduces CO2 emissions by about 60 tons annually compared to gasoline/diesel vehicles. Over an 8-year lifespan, this translates to roughly 480 tons of CO2 reduction per vehicle.
Back when I drove long-haul trucks, if the LNG tank's insulation wasn't working properly, nine times out of ten it was because the vacuum layer had ruptured and leaked. The vacuum serves as thermal insulation, maintaining the temperature balance inside the tank. If you tried to make do without the vacuum, the LNG inside would rapidly vaporize and evaporate, disappearing quickly—you'd have to refill it every few days, which was both expensive and wasteful. There was also a safety concern: if too much evaporated gas accumulated in the vehicle, a single spark could lead to disaster. So whenever my truck had this issue, I'd take it straight to a professional repair shop. They'd first use equipment to detect the vacuum leak, patch it up, and then re-establish the vacuum to reinforce the insulation layer. For routine maintenance, it was crucial to check the tank for any damage to avoid bigger problems down the line.
