FI125764B - INSULATION STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR INSULATING THE STRUCTURE - Google Patents

Description

INSULATION STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR INSULATING STRUCTURE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an insulator structure and a method for insulating the structure. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an insulated container and / or storage and to a method for adjusting the isolation of the container and / or storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to use solid insulators as thermal insulation for warehouses and tanks. As an insulating material, such structures typically use a solid material such as fibrous insulators or solidifying insulating foams. The insulation effect of solid insulation is dimensioned for the intended application.

US 2007/0181583 discloses a removable fuel container comprising an inner jacket and an outer jacket. The purpose of the double wall structure of the tank is to make the tank safer in a forest environment.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an insulating structure comprising an inner jacket surrounding a receiving volume for material to be fitted inside the insulating structure. The receiving volume consists of at least two different volume fractions, the first and the second volume fractions. The dielectric structure comprises at least two separate dielectric capacities for the medium, which are individually adjustable for thermal conductivity. Said containment volumes are a first isolation volume and a second secretion volume arranged at least two isolation volumes outside the inner jacket such that the effect of the first isolation volume is directed to the first volume fraction and the effect of the second isolation volume is directed to the second volume fraction.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of insulating a structure comprising an inner sheath surrounding a receiving volume for material to be fitted within the structure. The receiving volume consists of at least two different volume fractions, the first and the second volume fractions. The method provides at least two separate isolation volumes, the first isolation volume and the second isolation volume, which are arranged outside the inner jacket such that the effect of the first isolation volume is substantially directed to the first volume fraction and the second volume volume affects the second volume fraction separately.

Preferably, the insulating structure comprises means for adjusting the thermal conductivity of the insulating volume. The dielectric structure may comprise a plurality of distinct dielectric volumes which may be individually controllable.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus comprises an insulating structure comprising an inner jacket for enclosing material to be fitted inside the insulating structure. The insulating structure comprises at least one adjustable volume of thermal conductivity arranged on the outside of the inner sheath for the medium. The apparatus may comprise means for adjusting the thermal conductivity. The apparatus may comprise a control device. The apparatus may comprise temperature sensors for measuring the outside and / or inside temperature of the insulating structure.

Preferably, the inner surface of the inner shell opens in the direction of the material to be stored inside the insulating structure.

Preferably, the insulating structure comprises an outer sheath fitted on the outside of the inner sheath having an outer surface. Preferably, the space formed between the outer surface of the inner sheath and the inner surface of the outer sheath is at least partially formed as an insulating volume. Preferably, the insulating volume is arranged at least partially around the inner sheath.

Preferably, the outer surface of the insulating volume is formed by the outer surface of the outer sheath. Preferably, the outer surface of the insulating volume is arranged at least partially within the range of ambient temperature. Preferably, the outer surface of the insulating volume is arranged at least partially within the influence of the temperature of the soil layer. The temperature inside the soil layer is in many cases even. In some cases the temperature of the soil layer is consistently cool. In some cases, the temperature of the soil layer is consistently warm or hot. Preferably, the outer surface of the insulating volume is arranged at least partially within the influence of groundwater temperature. In some cases, the groundwater temperature is consistently cool. The heat transfer of the dielectric structure can be enhanced by placing at least part of the dielectric volume in the area of flowing groundwater. At least a portion of the containment volume (s) may be located within the range of the water body or source. The source may be a cold or a hot source.

Preferably, the outer surface of the insulating volume is arranged at least partially in the outdoor air. Preferably, a heat radiation collector such as a solar collector is provided on the outside or outside of the insulating volume to enhance heat transfer. The insulating structure can also be heated in other ways, for example by electrical resistors or liquid circulation. Liquid circulation can also be used for cooling. The outer surface of the insulation volume may comprise a heat transfer enhancing color or surface roughness. The outer surface of the insulation volume may be matte.

Preferably, a mixing device for mixing the contents of the insulating structure is provided inside the insulating volume to enhance heat transfer. The mixing device may comprise a rotatable propeller or pump.

According to some embodiments, the insulating structure is arranged in a container and / or storage. The container and / or storage may be of the self-supporting type. The container and / or storage may be removable. The container and / or storage may be of the container type. The container and / or reservoir may comprise a cylindrical, spherical or angular shape, and a combination of at least some of these.

The container and / or storage may be on the ground. The reservoir and / or storage may be partially or completely within the country. Preferably, at least a portion of the above-ground portion of the insulating structure is provided with an adjustable volume of thermal conductivity adapted to the medium outside the inner sheath for the medium. An underground part of the insulation structure may be provided with a fixed insulation. One end or both ends of the cylindrical container may be provided with a fixed insulator. If there is an instrumentation cabinet or the like at the tank end or sheath, this area of the outer sheath is not directly connected to the open air. The area of the outer shell of the container and / or storage area which is not directly exposed to the ambient temperature may be provided with a fixed insulation.

Preferably, the insulating structure comprises a wall surrounding the material to be stored. The dielectric structure may comprise a wall with a temperature-adjustable insulating volume arranged on the wall, outside the inner sheath of the material to be stored, for the medium. Preferably, the wall comprises an outer sheath, and the insulating volume is disposed between the inner and outer sheath of the wall.

The means for adjusting the thermal conductivity may comprise at least one of: medium pressure adjusting means, medium density adjusting means, medium volume adjusting means, control means for introducing the medium into and / or out of the insulating volume, adjusting means for insulating volume, pressure measuring means.

The means for adjusting the thermal conductivity may comprise at least one of a vacuum pump, a vacuum pump, a material transfer pump, a pressure pump, a pressurized gas source, a pressurized gas reservoir, a fill valve, a drain valve.

Preferably, the insulating structure comprises a control device. The control device can control the means for adjusting the thermal conductivity. The control device can be used to direct the medium into and out of the insulation volume. The temperature inside the tank / storage can be measured. The outside temperature of the tank / storage, ie the ambient temperature, can be measured. One or more temperature sensors may be provided for measuring the temperature outside the insulating structure. One or more temperature sensors may be provided for measuring the internal temperature of the insulating structure. The temperature sensors (s) can be connected to the control unit. The pressure in the insulation volume can be measured. One or more pressure sensors may be provided in the insulating volume as a pressure measuring means.

The measured temperature and / or pressure values can be processed by the controller. The control device can determine the control value based on the measured temperature and / or pressure values to control the control device. The control device can direct the medium into and out of the insulating volume depending on the temperature of the environment and / or the contents of the insulating structure.

Preferably, the dielectric structure comprises a control device for controlling the control means such that when the ambient temperature is below the temperature of the contents of the container, the gaseous medium is reduced by volume to cool the contents.

Preferably, the insulating structure comprises a control device for controlling the control means so that when the ambient temperature decreases, the gaseous medium is reduced in volume.

Preferably, the dielectric structure comprises a control device for controlling the control means such that when the ambient temperature is above the temperature of the contents of the container, the gaseous medium is reduced by volume to heat the contents.

Preferably, the dielectric structure comprises a control device for controlling the control means so that as the ambient temperature rises, the gaseous medium is reduced in volume.

Preferably, the insulation volume is pressure-tight. According to some embodiments, the dielectric structure comprises a pressure-tight volume arranged on the outside of the inner jacket for the pressurized medium, and adjusting means for adjustable pressure of the fluid-tight volume-adapted fluid.

Preferably, the control means comprises a vacuum pump for vacuuming the gaseous medium. Preferably, the control means comprises a pressure pump for overpressurizing the gaseous medium.

Preferably, the container comprises an outer jacket, and the insulating volume is disposed between the inner and outer jacket.

Preferably, the medium is adapted to be transferred to and from the insulating volume depending on the ambient temperature. According to some embodiments, the medium is adapted to be introduced into and out of the insulating volume, depending on the direction of change in ambient temperature.

The medium to be adjusted to the volume of the thermally conductive adjustable volume may comprise at least one or a mixture of the following: gas, liquid, pumped medium, viscous medium, air, water, refrigerant, petroleum component, hydrocarbon.

Two media may be provided in the isolation volume. Liquid and gaseous media may be provided in the insulating volume. A gasifying medium (e.g., hydrocarbon, refrigerant) may be provided in the isolation volume. By changing the pressure and / or amount of the medium, changes in the thermal conductivity of the insulating volume can be made. Fluids typically have a higher thermal conductivity than gases. In order to increase the thermal conductivity of the insulator, the volume fraction of the liquid from the insulating volume may be increased at the expense of the volume fraction of gas. The thermal conductivity of the insulation volume can be increased or enhanced by recycling the liquid in the insulation volume. To reduce the thermal conductivity of the insulator, the volume fraction of gas from the volume of insulation may be increased at the expense of volume volume of liquid. According to some embodiments, a low insulating volume is inserted into the insulating volume if desired and a higher insulating liquid or liquid is removed from the insulating volume and a vacuum is drawn into the insulating volume. The amount of vacuum can be adjusted.

To increase the thermal conductivity of the dielectric, the density of the medium, such as a gas or gas mixture, adapted to the dielectric volume may be increased by increasing the pressure of the medium. Typically, the thermal conductivity of the medium increases as the density of the medium increases. Conversely, to reduce the thermal conductivity of the dielectric, the density of the medium applied to the dielectric volume can be reduced by increasing the pressure of the medium, thereby reducing the thermal conductivity of the medium.

The heat-conductive / insulating medium may be changed in the insulating volume to control the thermal conductivity of the insulating / heat-conducting structure. The thermally conductive / insulating medium in the insulating volume can be completely replaced by another medium for controlling the thermal conductivity of the insulating / thermally conductive structure.

Preferably, the insulation of the container insulation is adjusted by changing the thermal conductivity of the insulation volume outside the inner jacket.

Preferably, the insulation of the container insulation is adjusted by varying the pressure of the insulating volume outside the inner jacket. A pressure corresponding to the ambient pressure can be provided in the insulation volume.

Preferably, the isolation isolation is increased by lowering the pressure of the medium in the isolation volume. According to some embodiments, the overpressure of the medium in the insulating volume is reduced. The isolation volume can be vacuumed. The vacuum volume of the insulation can be increased. A vacuum may be formed in the insulation volume.

The value of the pressure to be provided in the insulation volume, for example a vacuum, is dependent e.g. the insulation volume of the wall thickness and shape, such as the distance of the insulation volume from the outside to the inner sheath.

Preferably, the isolation dielectric is reduced by increasing the pressure of the medium present in the dielectric volume. In some embodiments, the vacuum of the medium in the insulating volume is reduced. The insulation volume can be overpressurized. Overpressure of the insulation volume can be increased.

The contents of the dielectric structure can be cooled by reducing the dielectric volume of the dielectric volume when the ambient temperature is lower than the dielectric structure.

The contents of the dielectric structure can be heated by increasing the dielectric volume of the dielectric when the ambient temperature is higher than the dielectric structure.

The insulating structure may be arranged as part of a container or storage.

The storage and / or container may be intended for the storage of persons, animals or goods. Heat generating equipment may be stored in the storage and / or container. The warehouse and / or container may be a process and / or food industry warehouse or an agricultural warehouse. The storage and / or reservoir may include equipment for, for example, energy distribution, electricity distribution, water distribution, sewerage, waste management, fuel distribution, data transmission, or telecommunications networks.

Adjustable insulation allows the temperature of the material stored in the tank or warehouse to be adjusted. The temperature of the material to be stored can be raised and / or lowered. The temperature of the material to be stored can be kept constant. Ambient temperature, for example, ambient temperature, can be used to raise and / or lower the temperature of the material being stored. Container insulation can take advantage of ambient temperature variations, for example, diurnal temperature variations or seasonal variations. By utilizing the daily temperature variation of the tank ambient temperature, some embodiments may reduce the need for heating and / or cooling. Adjustable insulation can save energy. Thermal expansion and / or heat shrinkage of the material in the container or storage may be reduced. Changes in the stress state of the container structure can be reduced.

The principle, insulating structure and method of adjustable insulation described in this specification can be applied e.g. process industry, food industry and agriculture. The insulation structure can be used to lower, maintain and increase the temperature of the material being stored, fed to the process or processed in the process in an energy efficient manner.

Containers according to some embodiments may be used as a container for rotting, composting and fermentation processes. Thus, the heating and cooling power obtained from the container environment can be used cost-effectively in such biological processes. In a biological process, heat from outside the container can be used to initiate the process, for example, to initiate bacterial activity. Once the process has started, to maintain a suitable operating temperature of the process, the temperature of the contents of the container can be cooled by transferring heat outside the container if the temperature in the process rises excessively, e.g., too high for the bacteria used in the process.

The thermal energy available in the tank / storage environment can be allowed to be transferred more intensively inside the tank and increase the temperature of the tank contents by adjusting the thermal conductivity of the tank insulation. The heat energy inside the tank / storage can be allowed to pass intensively to the outside of the tank and lower the temperature of the contents of the tank by adjusting the thermal conductivity of the tank insulation to a lower level.

For example, the durability of perishable materials can be improved. Temperature variations in the material to be stored can be reduced. The gasification and / or evaporation of gaseous and / or volatile materials such as fuels and wastes may be reduced or increased according to the application. By reducing gas formation, unwanted emissions to the tank environment can be reduced.

The pressure of the gaseous medium may be increased to increase the thermal conductivity of the dielectric, and the pressure of the gas may be decreased to decrease the thermal conductivity of the dielectric. It is particularly advantageous to lower the pressure of the insulating gas to a level below atmospheric pressure, since even small pressure differences can achieve significant differences in the thermal conductivity of the insulator. The inside of the insulating volume can receive heat from the environment in an adjustable manner and / or the outside of the insulating volume into the environment in an adjustable way.

As an example, an insulating structure that isolates the contents of a container or storage from the cold can be adjusted so that the insulator allows external heat to pass into the contents. Correspondingly, the heat insulating insulating structure may be adjusted so that the insulating material allows the heat of the contents to be effectively transferred outside the container. Known solid insulation also prevents heat transfer even when it would be more sensible not to insulate.

Other advantages will be apparent from the following description and claims.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described or described only in connection with some or some aspects of the invention. One skilled in the art will appreciate that any embodiment of an aspect of the invention may be applied to the same and other aspects of the invention, alone or in combination with other embodiments.

BRIEF PRESENTATION OF THE PATTERNS

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a container according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 2 shows a depot partially surrounded by a layer of soil; Fig. 3 shows a depot comprising two separate adjustable insulation volumes; and Fig. 4 illustrates a container comprising separate adjustable insulating volumes, one of which is arranged within the influence of groundwater temperature.

DETAILED EXPLANATION

In the following description, like reference numerals refer to like parts. It is to be noted that the figures shown are not to scale in their entirety, and that they serve merely the purpose of illustrating embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a container 1 comprising an inner sheath 2 and an outer sheath 3 fitted outside the inner sheath. The inner surface 2 'of the inner sheath 2 defines the receptacle volume 4 of the container 1 for the material to be stored. The inner surface 2 'of the inner sheath 2 opens in the direction of the material to be stored inside the container 1. The material to be stored may be any material or material, preferably a fluid material, for example gaseous, liquid, semi-solid, pumpable, viscous, powdery or granular. The material to be stored is not in itself intended to limit the invention. Figure 1 is not shown for moving the container opening of the stored material in the container 1 inside and outside of the route. Also, Fig. 1 does not show the connections typically associated with the containers, for example, for the material to be stored, for measuring the volume of the material, for the service door or the like. The container is made of metal and plastic materials.

The space enclosed between the outer surface of the inner sheath and the inner surface of the outer sheath is, in Figure 1, formed as an insulating volume 5 which completely surrounds the inner sheath. The insulating volume 5 is arranged to accommodate more or less medium along the passage 6. The insulating capacity (insulating capacity) of the container 1 is arranged to be adjusted so that the thermal conductivity of the insulating volume 5 can be adjusted.

In Figure 1, the outer surface 3 of the container is arranged in a circuit of ambient temperature, preferably outdoor air.

In the container 1, the insulating structure comprises a double-shell wall 2, 3 which surrounds the material to be stored. An insulating volume 5 of adjustable thermal conductivity is arranged between the diapers 2, 3.

In connection with the container 1 exemplified by the dielectric structure, a vacuum pump 7 is provided for adjusting the thermal conductivity 7 of the insulating volume 5 for controlling the pressure, medium density and amount of medium.

The operation of the vacuum pump 7 is controlled by the control device 8. The communication between the vacuum pump 7 and the control device 8 is indicated by 8 '.

Optionally, the inside temperature of the container 1 can be measured by a first temperature sensor 9, preferably located inside the inner jacket 2, whose measurement data is transmitted to the control device 8 (dashed line 9 '). Optionally, the outside temperature of the container 1, i.e. the ambient temperature, can be measured by a second temperature sensor 10, preferably located outside the outer jacket 3, whose measurement data is transmitted to the control device 8 (dashed line 10 '). The measured temperature values can be processed by the control unit 8. The control unit can determine the control value for controlling the vacuum pump 7 based on the measured temperature values. The control device can be used to direct the medium into and out of the insulating volume 5 depending on the ambient temperature.

From the pressure sensor 14 located in the insulating volume 5, the pressure information of the insulating volume 5 is transmitted to the control device 8 (dashed line 14 ').

The medium can be moved in and out of the insulating volume 5 depending on the ambient temperature. At ambient temperature below the temperature of the contents of the container 1, the gaseous medium may be subtracted from the isolation volume 5 to cool the contents. As the ambient temperature decreases, the gaseous medium may be subtracted from the insulating volume 5. With the ambient temperature being higher than the contents of the container 1, the gaseous medium may be subtracted from the insulating volume 5 to heat the contents. As the ambient temperature rises, the gaseous medium may be reduced by the volume of insulation 5.

The container 1 comprises a vacuum sealed volume 5 arranged outside the inner jacket for the gaseous medium to be pressurized. The vacuum pump 7 can be used to adjust, in an adjustable manner, the medium to be fitted to the containment volume 5.

To increase the thermal conductivity of the insulating volume 5, the density of the medium, such as a gas or gas mixture, applied to the insulating volume may be increased by increasing the pressure of the medium. Conversely, to reduce the thermal conductivity of the dielectric, the density of the medium applied to the dielectric volume 5 may be reduced by increasing the pressure of the medium, thereby reducing the thermal conductivity of the medium.

The insulation of the container insulation can be adjusted by varying the pressure of the insulation volume 5. A pressure corresponding to the ambient pressure can be provided in the insulation volume. The isolation volume 5 can be increased by lowering the pressure of the medium in the isolation volume. The isolation volume can be vacuumed. The vacuum volume of the insulation can be increased. A vacuum may be formed in the insulation volume.

Preferably, the isolation dielectric is reduced by increasing the pressure of the medium present in the dielectric volume. In some embodiments, the vacuum of the medium in the insulating volume is reduced. The insulation volume can be overpressurized. Overpressure of the insulation volume can be increased.

The thermal conductivity of the insulation volume can be increased by recycling the liquid in the insulation volume.

The control of the thermal conductivity of the insulating volume 5 of the container 1 of Figure 1 can be applied, which is described in the general part of the specification.

Fig. 2 shows a storage 11 comprising an inner sheath 2 and an outer sheath 3 fitted outside the inner sheath. The inner surface 2 'of the inner sheath 2 defines the receiving volume 4 of the container 1 for the material to be stored. The inner surface 2 'of the inner sheath 2 opens in the direction of the material to be stored inside the storage 11. The material to be stored may, as in the container of Figure 1, be any material or material, preferably a flowable material, for example gaseous, liquid, pumpable, viscous, powdered or granular material. The material to be stored is not in itself intended to limit the invention. Figure 2 does not show the transfer of the opening of the stored material store 11 inside and outside of the route.

The space enclosed between the outer surface of the inner sheath and the inner surface of the outer sheath is formed in Figure 2 as an insulating volume 5 which partially surrounds the inner sheath 2. The insulating volume 5 is delimited by a partition 15 disposed pressure-tightly between the inner and outer sheaths. The space between the inner sheath and the outer sheath is partitioned so that one side of the partition 15, above in the case of Figure 2, has an insulating volume 5 with adjustable thermal conductivity and the other side has a compartment 13 of solid insulating material. The insulating volume 5 is arranged to accommodate more or less medium along the passage 6. The insulating capacity (insulating capacity) of the container 1 is arranged to be adjusted so that the thermal conductivity of the insulating volume 5 can be adjusted.

In Figure 1, the outer surface 3 of the container is partially arranged within the range of ambient temperature, preferably outdoor air.

The warehouse 11 is partially located within the ground 12 and is surrounded by a ground layer 16. The above-ground portion of the storage 11 is provided with an adjustable volume of thermal conductivity 5 for the medium arranged outside the inner sheath 2. The sheath portion underneath the ground 12 of the warehouse 11, which is not directly exposed to the ambient temperature, is provided with a fixed insulator 13.

As a second example of an insulator structure, a storage pump 7 is provided as a means for controlling the thermal conductivity of the insulating volume 5, a vacuum pump 7 for controlling the pressure, medium density and amount of the medium.

From the pressure sensor 14, the pressure information of the insulating volume 5 is transmitted to the control device 8 (dashed line 14 ').

For controlling the thermal conductivity of the insulating volume 5 of the warehouse 11 of Figure 2, what is described in the general part of the description and in connection with the description of figure 1 can be applied.

The inside temperature of the storage 11 can be measured by the first temperature sensor 9 and the outside temperature, i.e. the ambient temperature, by the second temperature sensor 10. The measured temperature values can be processed by the control device 8. The control device can determine the control value for controlling the vacuum pump 7. The control device can be used to direct the medium into and out of the insulating volume 5 depending on the ambient temperature.

Fig. 3 shows a store 21 comprising two insulating volumes 5.1 and 5.2 separated by a partition 15, the thermal conductivity of which can be adjusted. The store 21 differs from the store 11 of Figure 2 in that a fixed insulating volume 5.2 is provided in place of the solid insulator 13. A first pressure sensor 14.1 is provided in the first insulating volume 5.1, from which the pressure information of the insulating volume 5.1 is transmitted to the control device 8 (dashed line 14.1 '). A second pressure sensor 14.2 is provided in the second containment volume 5.2, from which the pressure information of the containment volume 5.2 is transmitted to the control device 8 (dashed line 14.2 ').

The control device 8 may control the vacuum pump 7 to individually adjust the first isolation volume 5.1 through the first conduit 6.1 and the second isolation volume 5.2 through the second conduit 6.2. As an example of a storage operation from above ground 12, warm air, preferably enhanced by solar radiation, can deliver thermal energy to the contents of storage 21 (e.g., by lowering the insulation volume of 5.1) and providing a cool layer to cool the contents (e.g., reducing insulation). As another example of storage operation, the cold energy, preferably in winter, can be used to conduct thermal energy from the contents of storage 21 to the environment above ground level 12 (e.g., by reducing the isolation volume of the insulation volume 5.1). Thus, the temperature of the contents of the storage 21 can be controlled in an energy efficient manner.

Figure 4 shows a container 31 comprising three separate adjustable containment volumes 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3. The adjustable insulating structure shown in Figure 4 comprises a cylindrical container 31 mounted in an upright position.

In connection with the first isolation volume 5.1 and the second isolation volume 5.2, reference is made to the description of Figure 3. Below the second containment volume, a third containment volume 5.3 is provided for separating the second bulkhead 15 ', which is arranged in the groundwater temperature circuit on the groundwater layer 18. The boundary between the ground layer 16 and the pressure information is transmitted (dashed line 14.3 ') to the control device 8, not shown in Figure 4.

The control device 8 may control the vacuum pump 7 to individually adjust the first isolation volume 5.1 through the first conduit 6.1, the second isolation volume 5.2 through the second conduit 6.2, and the third isolation volume 5.3 through the third conduit 6.3.

By way of example, the terrestrial environment of the container 31 of Figure 4 may, under certain conditions, have a temperature of about + 6 ° C to + 25 ° C, the soil layer 16 about + 6 ° C and the groundwater layer 18 about 4 ° C. The contents stored in the container may be dairy products. The contents of the tank 31 can be maintained, for example, at a temperature of about + 6 to 8 ° C by: a) heating the contents through the first insulating volume 5.1 by increasing the thermal conductivity of the insulating volume 5.1 (optionally lowering the thermal conductivity of the third ) as the temperature of the contents rises, the contents of the tank are cooled through the third insulation volume 5.3 by increasing the thermal conductivity of the insulation volume 5.1 (optionally further decreasing the thermal conductivity of the first insulation volume 5.1).

The container 31 vastaanottotilavuuteen 4 may be provided a mixing device 19 for mixing the contents of the insulation structure and the efficiency of heat transfer between the contents of the container and the outside. The mixing device may comprise a rotatable propeller. The tank hatches are identified by reference 20.

3 and 4 may be provided with a temperature sensor or temperature sensors for measuring measurement data to be transmitted to the control device 8 and to be processed by the control device 8 for generating an operating signal of the control means 7.

The foregoing description provides non-limiting examples of some embodiments of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details set forth, but that the invention may be practiced in other equivalent ways.

Some features of the embodiments shown may be utilized without the use of other features. The foregoing description is to be construed as merely describing the principles of the invention and not limiting the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims (15)

An insulating structure (1, 11, 21, 31) comprising an inner jacket (2) surrounding a receiving volume (4) for a material to be fitted inside the insulating structure, characterized in that the receiving volume comprises at least two different volume parts, a first and a second volume fraction, and wherein the insulating structure comprises at least two separate and individually adjustable volume (5, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3) insulation volumes for the medium, which are the first volume (5.1) and the second volume (5.2) of at least two arranged outside the inner jacket (2) such that the effect of the first volume of insulation (5.1) is applied to the first volume fraction and the effect of the second volume of insulation (5.2) is applied to the second volume fraction. Insulation structure according to Claim 1, characterized in that the insulating structure comprises means for adjusting the thermal conductivity (7) of the insulation volume. An insulating structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the means for adjusting the thermal conductivity of the insulating volume is selected from: a medium pressure adjusting means, a medium density adjusting means, a medium amount controlling means, a control means for guiding the medium into and / or out of the insulating volume. or to reduce the volume of insulation, pressure measuring means (14), temperature measuring means (9, 10), vacuum pump, vacuum pump, material transfer pump, pressure pump, compressed gas source, compressed gas reservoir, fill valve, drain valve. Insulating structure according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the insulating structure comprises a control device (8) for controlling the thermal conductivity control means. Insulation structure according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the space formed between the outer surface of the inner sheath (2) and the inner surface of the outer sheath (3) is at least partially formed as an insulating volume. An insulating structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said different volume fractions are different layers of the receiving volume. Insulation structure according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one of the following is arranged in the insulating volume (5, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3): gas, liquid, pumpable medium, viscous medium, air, water, refrigerant, petroleum ingredient, hydrocarbon, and preferably the medium is suitable for replacing another medium in the containment volume. Insulating structure according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the insulating structure is arranged in a container and / or storage. A method for insulating a structure (1, 11, 21, 31) comprising an inner jacket (2) surrounding a receiving volume (4) for material to be fitted within the structure, characterized in that the receiving volume (4) consists of at least two and that at least two separate isolation volumes (5, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3) are provided, the isolation volumes being the first isolation volume (5.1) and the second isolation volume (5.2) arranged in the inner jacket ( 2) externally such that the effect of the first insulating volume (5.2) is substantially directed to the first volume fraction and the effect of the second insulating volume (5.2) is directed to the second volume fraction, and the thermal conductivities of the at least two isolation volumes (5, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3) A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the thermal conductivity of the insulating volume is controlled by changing at least one of the following properties of the medium adapted to the insulating volume: density, pressure, thermal conductivity. Method according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that a gaseous medium is fitted to the insulating volume and the thermal conductivity of the insulating volume is reduced by lowering the pressure in the insulating volume. Method according to one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that a vacuum, preferably a vacuum, is applied to the insulating volume. Method according to one of Claims 9 to 12, characterized in that a gaseous medium is applied to the insulating volume and the thermal conductivity of the insulating volume is increased by increasing the pressure prevailing in the insulating volume. Method according to one of Claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the method receives in a controlled manner heat from the environment inside the insulating volume and / or in a controllable way releases heat to the environment outside the insulating volume. Method according to one of Claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the medium or part of the medium is exchanged for another medium in the insulating volume to control the thermal conductivity of the structure.