EP0752555B1 - Protecture container for the underground installation of tanks for pressurized, liquefied gas - Google Patents
Protecture container for the underground installation of tanks for pressurized, liquefied gas Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0752555B1 EP0752555B1 EP95830293A EP95830293A EP0752555B1 EP 0752555 B1 EP0752555 B1 EP 0752555B1 EP 95830293 A EP95830293 A EP 95830293A EP 95830293 A EP95830293 A EP 95830293A EP 0752555 B1 EP0752555 B1 EP 0752555B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- tank
- hatch
- interspace
- seal
- housing
- 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 - Lifetime
Links
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 9
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 15
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 8
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 6
- 238000009412 basement excavation Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 4
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- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000002528 anti-freeze Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007792 gaseous phase Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008595 infiltration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001764 infiltration Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001444 catalytic combustion detection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001084 poly(chloroprene) Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000003449 preventive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003252 repetitive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001175 rotational moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
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- 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
- F17C1/00—Pressure vessels, e.g. gas cylinder, gas tank, replaceable cartridge
- F17C1/005—Storage of gas or gaseous mixture at high pressure and at high density condition, e.g. in the single state phase
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- 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
- F17C13/123—Arrangements or mounting of devices for preventing or minimising the effect of explosion ; Other safety measures for gas bottles, cylinders or reservoirs for tank vehicles or for railway tank wagons
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- 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
- F17C2201/0109—Shape cylindrical with exteriorly curved end-piece
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- 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
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- 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
- F17C2201/054—Size medium (>1 m3)
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- 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
- F17C2201/056—Small (<1 m3)
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- 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
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- 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
- F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
- F17C2205/0103—Exterior arrangements
- F17C2205/0111—Boxes
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- 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
- F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
- F17C2205/0123—Mounting arrangements characterised by number of vessels
- F17C2205/0126—One vessel
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- 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
- F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
- F17C2205/0153—Details of mounting arrangements
- F17C2205/018—Supporting feet
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- 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
- F17C2205/0308—Protective caps
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- 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
- F17C2209/00—Vessel construction, in particular methods of manufacturing
- F17C2209/22—Assembling processes
- F17C2209/228—Assembling processes by screws, bolts or rivets
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- 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
- F17C2209/00—Vessel construction, in particular methods of manufacturing
- F17C2209/23—Manufacturing of particular parts or at special locations
- F17C2209/238—Filling of insulants
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- 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
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- 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
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- 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
- F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
- F17C2250/03—Control means
- F17C2250/038—Control means using cameras
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- 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
- F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
- F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
- F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
- F17C2250/0478—Position or presence
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- 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
- F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
- F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
- F17C2250/0486—Indicating or measuring characterised by the location
- F17C2250/0495—Indicating or measuring characterised by the location the indicated parameter is a converted measured parameter
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- 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
- F17C2260/015—Facilitating maintenance
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- 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
- F17C2260/05—Improving chemical properties
- F17C2260/053—Reducing corrosion
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- 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
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an improved, openable, protective container for the underground installation of a tank for pressurized, liquefied gas.
- the Applicant's published European patent application EP-0624752 describes a protective container of plastics material, comprising a vessel having a generally cylindrical peripheral wall with a vertical axis closed at the bottom by a base and at the top by a removable top with a hatch closed by a cover.
- the container houses a tank of pressurized, liquefied gas with the formation of an interspace which, when the container is buried, contains any gas leakages, isolates the tank from the surrounding soil and protects it against corrosion brought about by the acidity and dampness of the ground and from stray currents.
- the container is installed completely underground except for the hatch cover which is left accessible for the opening of the hatch which is necessary for periodic filling of the tank.
- the fluid-tight container provides excellent protection for the tank, neither internal nor external corrosion can be completely excluded because of impurities which accumulate on the bottom of the tank and because of transportation mechanisms caused by repeated cycles of condensation and evaporation of the atmospheric moisture in the interspace at various points on the outer surface of the tank.
- These condensation cycles are caused by local temperature variations resulting from the evaporation of the liquefied gas which is generally drawn off at flow rates which vary greatly over time, even though a seal interposed between the tank and a hatch collar isolates the interspace from the space inside the hatch and prevents exchange of the air in the interspace and the entry of moisture.
- This inspection can provide useful indications for deferring the full checking operation or, when necessary, for putting into effect preventive and maintenance operations for the improved efficiency and maximum safety of the installation.
- a further problem is constituted by the fact that the seal separating the interspace from the hatch space has to ensure fluid-tightness at different pressures according to whether there is excess pressure in the gap compared with the hatch space or excess pressure in the hatch portion compared with the interspace.
- the seal has to yield at a predetermined excess pressure and allow the excess pressure to be discharged easily into the hatch space, possibly even causing its cover to open.
- the seal has to ensure perfect fluid-tightness and prevent any infiltration of gas into the interspace, the discharge of the excess pressure in the hatch space being entrusted simply to the forced opening of the hatch cover brought about by the excess pressure.
- the compression force exerted on the seal has to have a predetermined value regardless of the dimensional tolerances of the elements clamping the seal and of the variable load (according to the installation, the nature of the ground and its moisture content) exerted by the earth covering the top.
- the improved, fluid-tight, protective container of the present invention in which the top of the container forms, with a connecting collar between the hatch and the top, a semitoroidal housing for a toroidal seal or O-ring with a cross-sectional diameter advantageously larger than 30 mm and preferably between 30 and 40 mm.
- An outer, larger-diameter edge of the housing bears on the upper cap of the tank whilst the other, inner edge is spaced from the upper cap of the tank and is connected to the hatch in a manner such as to form a calibrated opening between the hatch and the cap of the tank for the expulsion of the seal towards the hatch space in the event of pressure in excess of a predetermined value in the interspace.
- the outer edge of the semi-toroidal housing is interrupted radially at at least one point, but preferably at a plurality of points spaced evenly around its circumference, by a radial channel forming a through hole of suitable depth and width, which is normally closed by the seal and which puts the interspace formed between the container and the tank into communication with the space inside the hatch and allows an inspection probe, probes for draining condensation or for the admission of protective liquids, or other maintenance probes to be introduced into the interspace.
- These means may consist of a miniaturized optical, magnetic, acoustic or combined inspection probe for checking at least one cylindrical arc of the tank surface and one sector of its lower closure cap which is most exposed to risks of corrosion.
- a probe for drawing off any condensation liquid which has accumulated or even a pipe for the admission of antifreeze liquid can also be introduced through the radial channel as far as the base of the container.
- the inspection by probe can be extended to practically the entire outer surface of the tank and the entire internal surface of the container.
- an improved openable container comprises a generally cylindrical vessel formed by a peripheral wall 1, a base 2 connected to the peripheral wall 1, and a top 3 with a hatch 4 closed by a cover 5 screwed or engaged like a bayonet on the hatch 4.
- the peripheral wall 1 has bellows-like toroidal corrugations of suitable depth which increase its rigidity and resistance to radial deformation relative to the axis of the cylinder of the vessel and give the wall advantageous axial resilience.
- the upper edge of the peripheral wall is bent outwardly to form a flange 6 for fluid-tight coupling with the peripheral edge of the top 3, which is also bent to form a coupling flange 7.
- a resilient sealing ring 8 preferably but not necessarily of rectangular cross-section, is interposed between the two flanges 6, 7.
- a releasable tie 9 or other equivalent clamping means clamps the two flanges releasably, exerting a suitable pressure on the seal which hermetically seals the joint.
- the base 2 has external eye bolts 10, 11 for lifting and for the anchorage of a ballast plate, not shown.
- the top 3 which is generally in the form of a spherical or conical dome, is connected to the hatch 4 by means of a semi-toroidal collar 12 forming a housing for a sealing ring or O-ring 13 of circular cross-section.
- the container houses a cylindrical tank 14 for pressurized, liquefied gas, disposed with its axis vertical and having feet 15, 16 for resting on the base 2, the tank preferably being spaced from the base 2, from the peripheral wall 1, and from the top 3 so that an interspace 17 is formed between the walls of the container and the tank.
- the sealing ring 13 interposed between the collar 12 and the tank 14 isolates the gap from the space inside the hatch 4 and prevents the infiltration from the hatch towards the interspace of liquid or gaseous fluids and solid foreign bodies, such as dust, soil, etc., which could accidentally fall from the hatch when it is opened.
- the interspace advantageously has a minimum width of the order of 4-8 cm except near the upper cap of the tank where the top 3 is bent inwardly to contact the upper cap of the tank and is then connected to the collar 12 to form a semi-toroidal housing for the positioning and outer abutment of the seal 13.
- the seal which is preferably of synthetic neoprene rubber, advantageously has a circular cross-section with a diameter of the order of 3-4 cm to provide suitable resilience and compressibility which ensure fluid-tightness.
- the semi-toroidal seal housing formed by the collar 12 has an outer edge 18 which is in contact with the upper cap 19 of the metal tank and an inner edge 20 connected to the hatch and spaced from the cap 19.
- This force is completely independent of the load exerted on the top 3 by the overlying soil, the weight of which is discharged, on the one hand, to the peripheral wall of the container (by means of the releasable joint of the flange 7, the seal 8 and the flange 6 of Figure 1) and, on the other hand, to the upper cap 19 of the tank by means of the edge 18 of the semi-toroidal housing.
- any variation in the axial dimensions of the tank and of the container from a nominal design dimension involves a resilient deformation of the container other than the designed deformation and hence involves different resilient reactions.
- the collar 12 behaves, relative to the seal 13, as a rigid element which is not significantly deformed either by the limited load exerted by the overlying soil or by the reaction exerted by the compressed seal, which stresses, incidentally, act in opposite directions and are thus to some extent balanced.
- a predetermined contact pressure between the seal 13 and the housing and between the seal and the cap of the tank can thus be ensured with the required repeatability.
- the opening H1 between the inner edge 20 of the seal housing and the cap 19 of the tank is advantageously calibrated (equal to or a little less than the maximum depth H of the housing) in a manner such that, for a predetermined excess pressure in the interspace compared with the pressure in the hatch, the seal 13 is expelled from its housing and urged towards the space inside the hatch.
- the outer edge 18 of the semi-toroidal housing does not extend continuously around the entire collar 12 but is interrupted by at least one radial channel and preferably by a plurality of radial channels, each defined by a saddle 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 formed by the top 3.
- the depth H2 of the saddle is advantageously less than the depth H of the semi-toroidal seal housing to ensure an adequate abutment for the seal.
- the channels may have trapezoidal cross-sections with suitable corner connections but may also have semi-circular, rectangular or corrugated cross-sections which, in any case, are such as to ensure a suitable clear channel cross-section of the order of 25-40 mm.
- the probe is pushed as far as the upper edge of the peripheral wall and is then made to descend to the bottom of the container through the interspace 17.
- the probe may comprise a miniaturized video camera with solid-state detectors (CCDs or charge-coupled devices), a fibre-optic endoscope, or fault detectors with inductive coupling or ultrasound excitation.
- CCDs solid-state detectors
- CCDs charge-coupled devices
- fibre-optic endoscope or fault detectors with inductive coupling or ultrasound excitation.
- the top 3 may be constituted by a generally hemispherical or conical cap with external radial ribs (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34) having internal recesses, which extend radially from the collar 12 connecting to the hatch 4 as far as the peripheral flange 7 or a certain distance towards it.
- the collar 12 also forms an annular seal housing with a discontinuous outer edge which is interrupted by the cavities of the ribs and is intended to bear on the upper cap-like end of the tank. Large portions of the sectors, if not the entire sectors 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 of the top between the ribs, also bear on the tank.
- the heights of the ribs advantageously decrease from the collar towards the periphery of the top in dependence on the local distance of the top from the upper cap of the tank.
- the widths of the ribs may also vary, increasing from the collar towards the periphery of the top, so that each allows a wider arc and sector of the cylindrical wall of the tank and of its end caps to be investigated.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (6)
- A system comprising a fluid-tight, openable, protective container of plastics material and a tank, (14) of pressurized, liquefied gas, for underground installation of the tank in the container, comprising a vessel with a generally cylindrical peripheral wall (1) closed at the bottom by a base (2) and at the top by a removable dome-shaped top (3) having a hatch (4) closed by an openable cover (5), for housing the tank (14) of liquefied gas with the formation of an interspace (17) between the container and the tank, the interspace being isolated from the space inside the hatch (4) by an annular seal (13) housed in a semitoroidal housing formed in a collar (12) connecting the top (3) and the hatch (4), the seal (13) being interposed under sealing compression between the collar (12) and the tank (14), characterized in that:
the semitoroidal housing has an outer edge (18) by which the top (3) bears on the tank (14) and an inner edge (20) which is spaced from the tank (14) and forms a calibrated opening (H1) between the inner edge (20) and the surface (19) of the tank (14) so that the seal (13) in the housing develops fluid-tightness at differentiated pressures, the pressure being higher in the case of excess pressure in the space inside the hatch (4) compared with the pressure in the interspace (17) and lower in the case of excess pressure in the interspace (17) compared with the pressure in the space inside the hatch (4). - A system according to Claim 1, in which the outer edge of the housing has at least one radial channel (21), closed by the seal (13), for communication between the interspace (17) and the space inside the hatch (4) so that an inspection and/or drainage probe can be inserted into the interspace (17) through the channel (21) solely by the removal -of the seal (13), possibly even locally.
- A system according to Claim 2, in which the outer edge (18) of the housing has a plurality of channels (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27) extending radially from the collar (12).
- A system according to Claim 1, in which the removable top (3) has a plurality of hollow ribs (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34) extending radially from the collar (12) towards the periphery (7) of the top (3) which is connected to the cylindrical peripheral wall (1).
- A system according to Claim 4, in which the heights of the ribs (28, ... 34) decrease from the collar (12) towards the periphery (7) of the top (3).
- A system according to Claim 5, in which the widths of the ribs (28, ... 34) increase from the collar (12) towards the periphery (7) of the top (3).
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ES95830293T ES2124514T3 (en) | 1995-07-07 | 1995-07-07 | PROTECTIVE CONTAINER FOR THE UNDERGROUND INSTALLATION OF TANKS FOR PRESSURE LIQUEFIED GAS. |
DK95830293T DK0752555T3 (en) | 1995-07-07 | 1995-07-07 | Protective tank for underground installation of liquefied gas tanks under pressure |
EP95830293A EP0752555B1 (en) | 1995-07-07 | 1995-07-07 | Protecture container for the underground installation of tanks for pressurized, liquefied gas |
AT95830293T ATE173074T1 (en) | 1995-07-07 | 1995-07-07 | PROTECTIVE CONTAINER FOR UNDERGROUND INSTALLATION OF PRESSURE LIQUID GAS TANKS |
DE69505802T DE69505802T2 (en) | 1995-07-07 | 1995-07-07 | Protective container for the underground installation of LPG tanks under pressure |
SI9530165T SI0752555T1 (en) | 1995-07-07 | 1995-07-07 | Protecture container for the underground installation of tanks for pressurized, liquefied gas |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP95830293A EP0752555B1 (en) | 1995-07-07 | 1995-07-07 | Protecture container for the underground installation of tanks for pressurized, liquefied gas |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0752555A1 EP0752555A1 (en) | 1997-01-08 |
EP0752555B1 true EP0752555B1 (en) | 1998-11-04 |
Family
ID=8221969
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP95830293A Expired - Lifetime EP0752555B1 (en) | 1995-07-07 | 1995-07-07 | Protecture container for the underground installation of tanks for pressurized, liquefied gas |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0752555B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE173074T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69505802T2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK0752555T3 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2124514T3 (en) |
SI (1) | SI0752555T1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU2006203659B2 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2013-10-10 | Elgas Limited | Underground domestic gas cylinder storage canister |
Families Citing this family (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NO306226B1 (en) * | 1997-01-31 | 1999-10-04 | Raufoss Composites As | Pressure vessel |
AT409189B (en) * | 1998-08-13 | 2002-06-25 | Tech Ueberwachungs Ver Oesterr | METHOD FOR PERFORMING A PRESSURE TEST ON A PRESSURE TANK AND PRESSURE TANK, PIPE UNIT THEREFOR AND A METHOD FOR ATTACHING THE PIPE UNIT |
SI1435481T1 (en) * | 2002-10-30 | 2006-08-31 | Giovanni Poillucci | Gas tank with protection system for underground installation |
US20050205581A1 (en) * | 2004-03-22 | 2005-09-22 | Trn Business Trust | Underground tank shroud assembly |
CN102797973B (en) * | 2012-07-31 | 2014-11-19 | 自贡力源科技有限公司 | Reinforcement device for high-pressure underground gas storage well |
CN102829320B (en) * | 2012-09-10 | 2014-07-16 | 盛泽能源技术有限公司 | Intelligent sensing large compressed natural gas bomb type antiexplosion pressure-relief underground gas storage well |
WO2014151638A1 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2014-09-25 | Compressed Energy Systems | Methods and apparatuses for recovering, storing, transporting, and using compressed gas |
US10837601B2 (en) | 2018-10-29 | 2020-11-17 | Ronald R. Mercer | Subterranean gas storage assembly |
CN112696606B (en) * | 2020-10-29 | 2024-01-09 | 江苏凡煜机械科技有限公司 | High-pressure tank with automatic release structure for excessive pressure |
CN112605613A (en) * | 2020-12-14 | 2021-04-06 | 沈阳航天新光压力容器有限公司 | Manufacturing process of compressed air storage tank |
US12025277B2 (en) | 2021-04-16 | 2024-07-02 | Michael D. Mercer | Subsurface gas storage system |
US11680684B2 (en) | 2021-04-16 | 2023-06-20 | Bedrock Gas Solutions, LLC | Small molecule gas storage adapter |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0624752B1 (en) | 1993-05-14 | 1996-01-03 | WALTER TOSTO SERBATOI S.p.A. | Protective container with a fluid-tight seal for the underground installation of tanks containing pressurised liquefied gas |
-
1995
- 1995-07-07 ES ES95830293T patent/ES2124514T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-07-07 SI SI9530165T patent/SI0752555T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-07-07 DE DE69505802T patent/DE69505802T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-07-07 AT AT95830293T patent/ATE173074T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-07-07 DK DK95830293T patent/DK0752555T3/en active
- 1995-07-07 EP EP95830293A patent/EP0752555B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU2006203659B2 (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2013-10-10 | Elgas Limited | Underground domestic gas cylinder storage canister |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DK0752555T3 (en) | 1999-07-19 |
DE69505802D1 (en) | 1998-12-10 |
ATE173074T1 (en) | 1998-11-15 |
ES2124514T3 (en) | 1999-02-01 |
DE69505802T2 (en) | 1999-04-01 |
SI0752555T1 (en) | 1999-12-31 |
EP0752555A1 (en) | 1997-01-08 |
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