CA1116420A - Container for liquefied gas - Google Patents

Container for liquefied gas

Info

Publication number
CA1116420A
CA1116420A CA000311108A CA311108A CA1116420A CA 1116420 A CA1116420 A CA 1116420A CA 000311108 A CA000311108 A CA 000311108A CA 311108 A CA311108 A CA 311108A CA 1116420 A CA1116420 A CA 1116420A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
concrete
inner tank
side wall
container
bottom wall
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000311108A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Franciscus De Jong
Nicolaas J. Cuperus
Johannes De Wit
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
Original Assignee
Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV filed Critical Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1116420A publication Critical patent/CA1116420A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C3/00—Vessels not under pressure
    • F17C3/02—Vessels not under pressure with provision for thermal insulation
    • F17C3/022—Land-based bulk storage containers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/12—Arrangements or mounting of devices for preventing or minimising the effect of explosion ; Other safety measures
    • F17C13/126—Arrangements or mounting of devices for preventing or minimising the effect of explosion ; Other safety measures for large storage containers for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • F17C2201/0119—Shape cylindrical with flat end-piece
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/03—Orientation
    • F17C2201/032—Orientation with substantially vertical main axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/052—Size large (>1000 m3)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
    • F17C2203/0304—Thermal insulations by solid means
    • F17C2203/0329—Foam
    • F17C2203/0333—Polyurethane
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
    • F17C2203/0304—Thermal insulations by solid means
    • F17C2203/0345—Fibres
    • F17C2203/035—Glass wool
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0604—Liners
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0607—Coatings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0612—Wall structures
    • F17C2203/0626—Multiple walls
    • F17C2203/0629—Two walls
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0636—Metals
    • F17C2203/0639—Steels
    • F17C2203/0643—Stainless steels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0636—Metals
    • F17C2203/0646—Aluminium
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0636—Metals
    • F17C2203/0648—Alloys or compositions of metals
    • F17C2203/0651—Invar
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0658—Synthetics
    • F17C2203/0663—Synthetics in form of fibers or filaments
    • F17C2203/0673—Polymers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0678—Concrete
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F17C2205/0332—Safety valves or pressure relief valves
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/033—Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/035—Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/01—Improving mechanical properties or manufacturing
    • F17C2260/011—Improving strength
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/03—Dealing with losses
    • F17C2260/031—Dealing with losses due to heat transfer
    • F17C2260/032—Avoiding freezing or defrosting
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/03—Dealing with losses
    • F17C2260/031—Dealing with losses due to heat transfer
    • F17C2260/033—Dealing with losses due to heat transfer by enhancing insulation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/03—Dealing with losses
    • F17C2260/035—Dealing with losses of fluid
    • F17C2260/036—Avoiding leaks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0142—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed underground
    • F17C2270/0144—Type of cavity
    • F17C2270/0147—Type of cavity by burying vessels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0142—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed underground
    • F17C2270/0157—Location of cavity
    • F17C2270/016—Location of cavity onshore

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

A B S T R A C T
A container for liquefied gas, comprising an outer shell consisting of a concrete bottom wall and a concrete side wall, earth material lying against the outer side of the concrete side wall, polyurethane foam arranged along the inner side of the concrete side wall, load-bearing heat insulating material arranged along the inner side of the concrete bottom wall, an inner tank positioned inside the concrete outer shell in such a way that the bottom wall of the inner tank is supported by the load-bearing heat insulating material, a relatively large annular space between the polyurethane foam on the concrete side wall and the side wall of the inner tank, a heat insulated roof sealing the inside of the inner tank and of the outer shell from the environment, and a communication between the vapour space of the inner tank and the annular space (Figure 1).

Description

1~116~

The invention relates to a container for liquefied gas, such as for example butane, propane, ethane, methane, natural gas, at atmospheric or approximately atmospheric pressure and at relatively low temperatures.
It is necessary to store liquefied gas temporarily in containers in the production and the consumption areas.
These containers have to comply with high standards, in order to minimize the probability of leakage. For this p~lrpose containers are known comprising a thermally insulated outer shell and an inner tank for the liquefied gas arranged inside the outer shell. With such containers the liquefied gas is stored in the inner tank and the outer shell serves as a safeguard in case the inner tank should leak or collapse.
Collapse of the inner tank will probably take place suddenly. This means that a sudden large temperature drop and pressure rise will occur at the wall of the outer shell. This requires that very high standards be set for the wall of the outer shell, in order to prevent collapse of the outer shell as well. To that end it has been pro-posed to make the outer shell of expensive high-grade mate-rials, such as for example 9% nickel steel or concentrate pre-strained by a special reinforcement.
The invention envisages a container for liquefied gas, which is less expensive and moreover offers greater safety than the known containers for the storage of liquefied gas.

~16~ V

According to the invention there is provided a container for storing liquefied gas, comprising a rigid outer shell having a concrete bottom wall and a concrete side wall having an inner side and an outer side, sufficient earth material lying against the outer side of the concrete side wall to prestress the concrete side wall, a continuous heat insulating lining of rigid closed cell polyurethane foam arranged along the inner side of the concrete side wall, said heat insulating lining being substantially impermeable to stored liquefied gas and its vapours, a load-bearing heat insulating material arranged along an inner side of the concrete bottom wall, a free-standing inner tank made of a material which is resistan~ to the low temperature of the liquefied gas to be stored therein, the inner tank including a bottom wall and a side wall, said inner tank being positioned inside the concrete outer shell with the bottom wall of the inner tank supported by said load-bearing heat-insulating material, an annular space between the poly-urethane foam on the concrete side wall and the sidewall of the inner tank, a heat insulated roof sealing the inside of the inner tank and of the outer shell from the environment, and a fluid-communication between an upper part of the inner tank and the annular space for flow of gas from the inner tank to the annular space.

~ .. _ ~.

V

The concrete side wall of the outer shell is lined on the inside with polyurethane foam, prefer-ably rigid polyurethane foam with closed cells. Said material offer3 good thermal insulation and good sealing, so that the gas or the liquefied gas cannot reach the concrete side wall. The outer shell is made of reinforced concrete, and surrounded by earth material, which, in order to prevent earth movements and weathering, may be covered on top with layers of asphalt.
The use of the said earth material has the advantages that the concrete side wall need not be prestressed by a special reinforcement and that the earth forms an additional barrier against the liquefied gas.
Furthermore the inner tank is positioned inside the concrete outer shell in such a way that there is a relatively large annular space between the poly-urethane foam on the concrete side wall and the side wall of the inner tank. During normal use of the container, the annular space, because of the com-munication between the vapour space of the inner 11~6~20 tank and the annular space, is constantly filled with gas of substantially the same low temperature as the liquefied gas stored in the inner tank. This has the advantage that, if the inner tank should leak or collapse allowing the liquefied gas to flow into the annular space, no sudden temperature drop of the polyurethane foam and of the concrete side wall will occur, thereby reducing the probability o~ damage to the polyurethane foam and to the concrete side wall.
Moreover, in the event of collapse of the inner tank, this design prevents a large quantity of gas being formed in the annular space as a result of sudden evaporation, which gas would be difficult to remove rapidly and which would cause a sudden pressure rise.
The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to an embodiment as shown in the drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 shows a vertical cross-section of a container for liquefied gas according to the invention;
0 Figure 2 shows details II and III of figure 1 on an enlarged scale.
The container as shown comprises a concrete outer shell 1 oonsisting of a concrete bottom wall 2 and a cylindrical concrete side wall 3. Suitable earth material Ll is arranged against the outer side of the concrete side wall 3. The earth material 4, for example sand, is covered with one or more layers 14 1~16~Z~

of ~sphalt bitumen in order to prevent movements and weathering of the earth material.
The outer surface of the concrete side wall 3 is provided with a suitable coating (not shown), such as a bitumen layer, a paint layer, a layer of epoxy resin or a layer of polyurethane, which seals the concrete wall 3 in a liquid-tight manner from the earth material 4. ~long the inner side of the concrete side wall 3 a continuous, heat insulating layer 5 of polyurethane foam, preferably rigid polyurethane foam with closed cells, is arranged, applied for example by means of a spraying method. Said poly-urethane foam is of such a quality that the layer 5 can be regarded in practical terms as impermeable to the liquefied gas and the gas. The thickness of the layer 5 is dependent on the liquefied gas to be stored in, and on the temperature to be maintained in~ the container. Between the layer 5 and the concrete side wall 3 a water and vapour barrier can be arranged (not shown) which may consist of a layer of epoxy resin or of a layer of polyurethane or of thin sheets of carbon steel, of cryo~enic steel such as nickel steel or invar steel, or of aluminium.
The concrete bottom wall 2 is lined with a suitable load-bearing heat insulating material 6, such as for example foam glass or another equivalent material. Inside the concrete outer shell 1 an ~1~6~

inner tank 7 is arranged, consisting of a bottom wall 8 and a cylindrical side wall 9. The inner tank 7 is made of a material adapted to contain the cold liquefied gas, such as for example 9% nickel steel, aluminium, tough carbon steel or another suitable material which is resistant to low temperatures. The bottom wall 8 of the inner tank 7 rests on the load-bearing heat insulating material 6. Between the layer 5 and the side wall 9 a relatively large annular space 10 is present.
The inside of the inner tank 7 and of the outer shell 1 is sealed from the environment by means of a heat insulated roof structure 11, 12, 13, 16 consist-ing of a dome-shaped roof 11 which supports a horizontal heat insulated deck 12 by means of rods 13.
The dome-shaped roof 11 is supported in turn by means of a steel outer wall 15 which is sunk into the concrete side wall 3. The horizontal deck 12 is provided on top with a suitable heat insulating material 16, for example a layer of glass fibre material or foam glass or polyurethane foam. The roof structure is further provided with conventional safety valves (not shown), which serve to prevent the pressure in the tank from exceeding a desired pressure.
The top of the side wall 9 and the horizontal deck 12 are spaced some distance apart, in such a way ZO

that a communication is formed between the vapour space of the inner tank 7 and the annular space 10.
As shown in the drawin~, the concrete side wall 3 has a downwardly increasing thickness, in view of the 102ds to be absorbed by the side wall 3 in case of failure of the inner tank 7.
The tank is further provided with conventional means for khe supply and the discharge of liquefied gas (not shown).
In order to keep the outside of the concrete side wall 3 and of the concrete bottom wall 2 at a constant, suitable temperature of for example approximately 5C, and in order to prevent freezing of the earth material 4, the side wall 3 and the bottom wall 2 are provided with heating elements (not shown), fed for example by a warm liquid or by electricity.
During normal use, the inner tank 7 contains liquefied gas and gas is present above the liquid level in the inner tank 7. Because of the communi-cation between the top of the side wall 9 and the horizontal deck 12, said gas is able to flow to the annular space 10 between the side wall 9 and the layer of polyurethane foam 5. In this way the inner side of the foam layer 5 is constantly kept at substantially the same low temperature as the temperature prevailing in the inner tank 7. An 6~

advantage of this is that, if the inner tank 7 should ccllapse or begin to leak, as a result of which liquefied gas would flow into the annular space 10, no sudden temperature drop of the foam 5 and of the concrete side wall 3, will occur so that the proba-bility of damage to the foam layer 5 and to the con-crete side wall 3 is reduced. Another advantage of this is that in the event of liquefied gas entering the annular space 10 as a result of collapse or leakage of the inner tank 7, no sudden evaporation of the liquefied gas in the annular space lOg with concomitant sudden pressure rise, will occur.
In the event of leakage or collapse of the inner tank7, the layer of polyurethane foam 5 on the con-crete side wall 3 prevents the liquefied gas fromcoming into direct contact with the concrete side wall 3.
In order to prevent damage to the concrete side wall 3 as a result of cooling and of the sudden liquid pressure acting on the concrete wall 3 if the metal tank 7 should collapse, the concrete wall 3 is pre-stressed by means of the earth material 4.
This yields the advantage that it is not necessary to use a concrete side wall 3, pre-stressed by a special reinforcement. Another advantage of the earth material 4 present against the concrete side wall 3 is that it forms an additional barrier against the 1~.164~0 liquefied gas, thereby increasing the safety. The outer shell 1 is provided with a reinforcement of normal carbon steel or of 9% nickel steel or of stain-less steel.
It is noted that the communication between the gas space of the inner tank 7 and the annular space 10 can also be formed by openings (not shown) in the upper portion of the side wall 9. In that case the side wall 9 may extend to the horizontal deck 12.
It is noted that the container according to the invention need not be of cylindrical shape. Instead, another shape may be chosen, if desired, although the cylindrical shape is preferred.
If desired the concrete shell 1 can be embedded entirely or partly in the ground.
In the embodiment as described, the concrete bottom of the annular space 10 is not provided with heat insulating material. However, it is preferred to arrange a heat insulating material on the bottom of the annular space as well, for example foam glass or rigid high-density and high-strength polyurethane foam, preferably closed cell polyurethane foam.
In most cases, the annular space 10 can be left empty. However, if liquefied gases are stored at very low temperatures, for example liquefied natural gas at about minus 160 degrees centigrade, it may be economically attractive to fill the annular space 1~
partly or completely with a loose insulatlon material such as perlite.

Claims (9)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:-
1. A container for storing liquefied gas, comprising:
a rigid outer shell having a concrete bottom wall and a concrete side wall, having an inner side and an outer side, sufficient earth material lying against the outer side of the concrete side wall to prestress the concrete side wall, a continuous heat insulating lining of rigid closed cell polyurethane foam arranged along the inner side of the concrete side wall, said heat insulating lining being substantially impermeable to stored liquefied gas and its vapours, a load-bearing heat insulating material arranged along an inner side of the concrete bottom wall;
a free-standing inner tank made of a material which is resistant to the low temperature of the liquefied gas to be stored therein, the inner tank including a bottom wall and a side wall, said inner tank being positioned inside the concrete outer shell with the bottom wall of the inner tank supported by said load-bearing heat-insulating material, an annular space between the polyurethane foam on the concrete side wall and the side wall of the inner tank;

a heat insulated roof sealing the inside of the inner tank and of the outer shell from the environment, and a fluid-communication between an upper part of the inner tank and the annular space for flow of gas from the inner tank to the annular space.
2. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner tank is made of 9% nickel steel.
3. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner tank is made of aluminium.
4. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner tank is made of tough carbon steel.
5. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load-bearing heat-insulating material arranged along the inner side of the concrete bottom wall is foamed glass.
6. The container as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the load-bearing heat-insulating material arranged along the inner side of the concrete bottom wall is foamed glass.
7. The container as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the earth material is covered on top with at least one layer of asphalt bitumen.
8. The container as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the earth material is covered on top with at least one layer of asphalt bitumen.
9. The container as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the inner side of the concrete bottom wall of the annular space is provided with a heat insulating material selected from the group consisting of foamed glass and polyurethane foam.
CA000311108A 1977-10-07 1978-09-12 Container for liquefied gas Expired CA1116420A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL7711018 1977-10-07
NL7711018A NL7711018A (en) 1977-10-07 1977-10-07 TANK FOR LIQUEFIED GAS.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1116420A true CA1116420A (en) 1982-01-19

Family

ID=19829309

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000311108A Expired CA1116420A (en) 1977-10-07 1978-09-12 Container for liquefied gas

Country Status (9)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS5462523A (en)
AU (1) AU519036B2 (en)
CA (1) CA1116420A (en)
DE (1) DE2843532A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2405424A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2005397B (en)
IT (1) IT1108109B (en)
NL (1) NL7711018A (en)
SE (1) SE433971B (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2936420C2 (en) * 1979-09-08 1982-10-28 Dyckerhoff & Widmann AG, 8000 München Double-walled container for cryogenic liquids, e.g. Liquefied petroleum gas
GB2108647B (en) * 1981-10-27 1985-06-12 Capper Neill International Lim Improvements in tanks
NO310319B1 (en) * 1998-10-12 2001-06-18 Norconsult As Liquefied gas storage facility

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1903431A1 (en) * 1969-01-24 1970-07-30 Metallgesellschaft Ag Safety container for liquid gases
JPS5224689B2 (en) * 1971-12-18 1977-07-02
NL157271B (en) * 1975-08-19 1978-07-17 Nederhorst Bouwmij TANK FOR LIQUEFIED GAS STORAGE AT LOW TEMPERATURES.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2005397A (en) 1979-04-19
FR2405424A1 (en) 1979-05-04
FR2405424B1 (en) 1981-04-10
IT7869312A0 (en) 1978-10-05
IT1108109B (en) 1985-12-02
JPS5462523A (en) 1979-05-19
DE2843532A1 (en) 1979-04-19
AU519036B2 (en) 1981-11-05
SE433971B (en) 1984-06-25
GB2005397B (en) 1982-01-27
SE7810450L (en) 1979-04-08
AU4044678A (en) 1980-04-17
NL7711018A (en) 1979-04-10

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