Abstract:
Cryogenic insulation system for containers for storage of cryogenic liquefied gases such as LNG, comprised of a low temperature resistant metal, preferably high nickel steel, primary membrane or liner supported by a primary layer of reinforced foam insulation, and a secondary liner positioned adjacent to and sandwiched between the primary layer of foam insulation and a secondary layer of reinforced foam insulation. The preferably high nickel steel primary liner or membrane is attached to the primary layer of foam insulation by tongues of high nickel steel connected to the primary membrane at spaced positions therealong, and engaged in plywood retainers positioned within and bonded to the primary foam insulation layer. The plywood retainers for such tongues include spaces or channels in communication with a manifold for detection of cryogenic gas leakage. There is provided at corners, particularly at 90.degree. corners, and disposed within the primary and secondary foam insulation layers, a cooperating system of a plastic coupler, threaded rod and plywood supports, the plywood supports being attached to the primary high nickel steel liner and the coupler to the container wall or ship hull. For oblique corner angles such as 135.degree. angles of the cryogenic container or tank, there is provided a system of high nickel steel corner members welded to the primary high nickel steel liner, such corner members being supported on angular plywood corner supports positioned in the primary foam layer. Support systems at three way corners are also provided, including a trihedron angle member connected to the primary liner, plywood supports for the primary liner at such corners, such plywood supports being positioned in the primary foam insulation adjacent the primary high nickel steel liner, and a combination of tubes, e.g. fiber glass tubes, connected at one end to the trihedron angle member and at the other end to the container or tank wall. Stand-off or insulation support panels can also be provided for the entire insulation system, together with means to maintain the panels spaced from the container wall or ship hull.
Abstract:
A relatively thin, flexible, impervious, sheet-like laminated building material comprising at least three continuous overlying layers of yielding material adapted to withstand very severe cold conditions, bonded together and consisting of at least one first mechanically strong supporting endmost layer; at least one impervious film-like layer and at least one second endmost lining layer providing at least a mechanical and at least temporary protection.
Abstract:
An insulating construction for a low temperature liquified gas storage tank consists of a plurality of heat insulating blocks or plates of rigid foam, each covered with a gas-tight sheet bonded thereto and each bolted at its approximate center to the outer wall of the tank. The joints between adjacent plates are filled with a heat insulating material and a gas-tight cover is applied to the exposed portions of this filler material and to the exposed ends of the bolts. Preferably, the inner surfaces of the plates are separated from the outer wall of the tank by spacers, providing a space which is filled with a soft foam resin and which forms a passage for conducting any leakage gas from the tank to a pipe located in a plate below the bottom of the tank and discharging such gas to the outside of the insulating construction.
Abstract:
Improved insulation system for cryogenic vessels wherein substantially uniform stress levels under loads are maintained in various parts of the foam insulating material layers applied to the wall structures of such vessels and methods for applying foam insulating materials to the said vessel wall structures.
Abstract:
A heat insulation structure for a liquefied gas storage tank is disclosed which comprises a plurality of heat insulation sandwich structure units attached to the outer tank shell. Each sandwich structure unit comprises a plurality of core members or ribs arrayed in spaced apart relation and sandwiched by a top and bottom plate members, and insulating materials filled into the spaces defined by the core members and the top and bottom plate members, and each core member or rib comprises a pair of plywood sheet members spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance by spacers, and insulating materials filled into the space or spaces defined by the sheet members and spacers. The above construction not only gives much strength to the heat insulation structure in addition to the improved ability to interrupt heat conduction, but also reduces the fabrication cost.
Abstract:
An insulation system for marine tanker or land based liquid natural gas containers is formed in prefabricated modules bolted to an inner wall of the container. Adjacent modules are connected to provide a continuous insulation, liquid barrier and tension membrane. The confined liquid is in contact with a layer of closed cell polyurethane foam that incorporates means for relieving thermal stresses. The liquid tight primary foam layer is backed by a liquid tight fiberglass tension membrane and an additional layer of polyurethane foam. The fiberglass membrane is connected to cruciform fittings in the tank corners for reaction of contraction induced tensile forces. Handling and installation of the system is simplified by prefabricating the several layers of insulation and fiberglass membrane with a plywood panel supporting the system and providing an interface with the inner hull of the ship or inner tank surface. Damage and leak detection sensors are incorporated in the module at the membrane.
Abstract:
A system for the storage and/or transportation of liquefied gases, especially liquefied natural gas, oxygen or nitrogen, comprises a thermally insulated enclosure having a battery of upright individual vessels (bottles, flasks or cylinders) containing the liquefied gas at least in a bottom portion of each vessel while a top portion thereof serves as a vapor space. A conduit network leads from each vapor space and communicates, externally of the chamber with a source of pressurizing gas for discharging the liquid or with a receptacle, reliquefaction apparatus or the like when liquid is pumped into the vessels. A second conduit network opens into the bottom portion of each vessel for introducing the liquefied gas or removing same. The safety of the system is improved by providing the conduit communicating with the liquid space wholly within the conduit communicating with the vapor space at least in regions in which the networks lie in the spaces between receptacles of the enclosure, thereby eliminating the need for a separate safety valve at each vessel for liquid conduits.
Abstract:
A prestressed concrete structure for the storage of liquified gas comprises an inner and outer concrete facing maintained in spaced relationship. Insulating material is positioned between the facings and the inner facing is saturated with moisture. When the structure is filled with liquified gas, the tension due to thermal stresses is partially relieved and both facings act together to withstand the forces on the structure.
Abstract:
Liquified gas is stored underground in a large double walled container seated in an opening in the earth''s surface. Between the walls of the liner, thermal insulation is distributed in a continuous layer along the floor and wall of the opening. A diaphragm is supported across the top of the opening with a seal being provided between the diaphragm and the double walled liner to form a container for the liquified gas. Surrounding the lip of the opening is a concrete ring across which a net of cables is stretched to support a thermally insulating ceiling. A cooling system is provided for freezing the earth to aid in the excavation of the opening and this system is subsequently used to maintain the wall and floor of the opening frozen to a controlled thickness by cooling them in response to a rise in the temperature of the surrounding earth above a predetermined temperature level. Also disclosed are various techniques for constructing a storage tank of the type described.
Abstract:
A process and apparatus for maintaining uniform density of granular-type insulation which is subject to packing. Short gas blasts, from strategically disposed jets fluff the insulation when packing occurs to restore original density. The gas blasts can be triggered by automatic-type control devices which indicate a packed condition.