EP2217846A1 - Storage system of cryogenic liquids positioned under the seabed - Google Patents

Storage system of cryogenic liquids positioned under the seabed

Info

Publication number
EP2217846A1
EP2217846A1 EP08840272A EP08840272A EP2217846A1 EP 2217846 A1 EP2217846 A1 EP 2217846A1 EP 08840272 A EP08840272 A EP 08840272A EP 08840272 A EP08840272 A EP 08840272A EP 2217846 A1 EP2217846 A1 EP 2217846A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
seabed
elements
modular
tank elements
modular tank
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP08840272A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Katia Molino
Antonio Taglia
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.)
Eni SpA
Original Assignee
Eni SpA
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 Eni SpA filed Critical Eni SpA
Publication of EP2217846A1 publication Critical patent/EP2217846A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current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
    • F17C3/005—Underground or underwater containers or 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
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • 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
    • F17C2201/0147—Shape complex
    • F17C2201/0157—Polygonal
    • 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
    • F17C2201/0147—Shape complex
    • F17C2201/0166—Shape complex divided in several chambers
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0103—Exterior arrangements
    • F17C2205/0111—Boxes
    • 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
    • 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
    • F17C2205/013—Two or more vessels
    • F17C2205/0134—Two or more vessels characterised by the presence of fluid connection between vessels
    • F17C2205/0146—Two or more vessels characterised by the presence of fluid connection between vessels with details of the manifold
    • 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
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/011—Oxygen
    • 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
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/012—Hydrogen
    • 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
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/013—Carbon dioxide
    • 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
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/014—Nitrogen
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • F17C2223/035—High pressure (>10 bar)
    • 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
    • F17C2260/04—Reducing risks and environmental impact
    • F17C2260/042—Reducing risk of explosion
    • 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
    • F17C2265/00—Effects achieved by gas storage or gas handling
    • F17C2265/03—Treating the boil-off
    • F17C2265/031—Treating the boil-off by discharge
    • 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
    • F17C2270/0163—Location of cavity offshore
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/32—Hydrogen storage

Definitions

  • the present invention describes a system and the rela- tive installation process for the storage of a cryogenic liquid, typically LNG, positioned under the seabed.
  • a cryogenic liquid typically LNG
  • Cryogenic liquids refer to all liquids at a temperature lower than -40 0 C.
  • ballast necessary generally consists of wet sand, contained in suitable ballast crates integrated in the GBS: i.e. it involves a considerable increase in the total volume of the structure and therefore a decrease in the ratio between the useful storage volume and the total volume.
  • a new storage system of cryogenic liquid typically LNG
  • LNG has now been found, connected with reception or lique- faction terminals, in modular tank elements whose construction and installation method can be taken from that of immersed tunnels (road or railway, etc.), adapted to the containment of cryogenic liquid.
  • tank elements can be modularly constructed on land, typically in a floodable basin close to the coast, transported into the sea by floating and installed by burying under the seabed previously dredged.
  • the system, object of the present invention, for the storage of cryogenic liquids positioned under the seabed essentially comprises:
  • one or more modular tank elements preferably in the form of a parallelepiped or cylinder with a circular or elliptic section, externally consisting of a reinforced concrete structure and internally completed with a suitable first containment structure of cryogenic liquid and a suitable second containment structure of cryogenic liquid (necessary in the case of loss of liquid of the first containment) ;
  • connection means of the tank with the surface utilities comprising inlet/outlet ducts of the cryogenic liquid, ducts for managing the boil-off and access channel for the inspection of the tank.
  • cryogenic liquids are preferably selected from LNG
  • LNG liquefied natural gas
  • LN 2 liquid nitrogen
  • LO 2 liquid oxygen
  • LH 2 liquid hydrogen
  • LCO 2 liquid carbon di- oxide
  • the suitable first containment structure of cryogenic liquid can be selected from one of those used in the known art, preferably from the following: • membrane (for example of the type NO96 or Mark III of GTT) with structural insulation, supported by a secondary structure;
  • self-supporting structure having a suitable geometry (for example a prismatic self-supporting structure as described in US-7, 100,261 or a prismatic self-supporting structure of type B (SPB tank)), integrated with a suitable insulator.
  • a suitable geometry for example a prismatic self-supporting structure as described in US-7, 100,261 or a prismatic self-supporting structure of type B (SPB tank)
  • SPB tank prismatic self-supporting structure of type B
  • the suitable second containment structure of cryogenic liquid is produced with a layer of material resistant to cryogenic temperatures (for example stainless steel, alumi- num) .
  • Figure 1 schematizes the vertical section of the modular tank element having a parallelepiped form, which consists of an external structure in cement (1) , an insulation system (2) , a first containment structure (3) and a second containment structure (4) .
  • the modular tank elements can be installed, according to the total capacity necessary for the storage of the cryogenic liquid, with a configuration with independent single modular tank elements or with a single configuration obtained by connecting the single elements of the tank with a method similar to that used in the construction of immersed tunnels.
  • each element is independently connected to the external utilities by said connection and management means of the tank.
  • Figure 2 schematizes a configuration with 4 modular tank elements (1) , independently connected to the external utilities by means of connecting channels (2) and the vertical connection channel with the outside (3) .
  • the installation process of the modular tank elements, forming the system according to the invention, with a single configuration by connecting the single tank elements, with a configuration of the immersed marine tunnel type, essentially comprises the following steps in succession: • transportation of said modular tank elements into the sea, by floating with a buoy as far as the installation site;
  • Figure 3 schematizes said configuration with the tank elements connected to each other forming a single tank (1) .
  • the whole system is connected to the external utilities by means of a vertical channel (2) .
  • the difference between the two processes lies in the installation method which is more similar to the immersed tunnel technology.
  • the immersed tunnel technology is used worldwide in the field of road and railway works.
  • each module is provided with two temporary side walls, useful only for the installation phase, which are subsequently removed when the positioning of all the elements has been terminated.
  • the weight/floating thrust ratio for each module is equal to about 1.
  • the joining of the modules is hydraulic.
  • the module reaches its position, exactly in contact with the part of the tunnel already installed, the water remaining between the two bulkheads is sucked, thus generating a vacuum which allows the definitive joining of the ends, also thanks to a system of washers.
  • Figure 4 shows the joining and connection system between the modular tank elements in the single tank configuration.
  • the joining between the external cement structures (1) is effected with washer systems (4) .
  • the connection pipes between one element and another (2) and (3) serve for the communication of the liquid and gas boil-off.
  • Example 1 Two embodiment examples of the present invention are provided of which the first is effected with a configuration having independent single elements, the second with a single configuration made up of single modules.
  • Example 1 Two embodiment examples of the present invention are provided of which the first is effected with a configuration having independent single elements, the second with a single configuration made up of single modules.
  • Example 1 Two embodiment examples of the present invention are provided of which the first is effected with a configuration having independent single elements, the second with a single configuration made up of single modules.
  • the length necessary for the above total capacity is 112.2 m, which can be reached by only one tank element.
  • the insulator necessary for obtaining a BOR (boil-off rate) of 0.05% a day corresponds to a thickness of about 1.8 in of perlite.
  • a BOR blow-off rate
  • the insulator necessary for obtaining a BOR (boil-off rate) of 0.05% a day corresponds to a thickness of about 1.8 m of perlite.
  • BOR blow-off rate
  • each of the elements described above must weigh at least 59,200 t.

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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

System for the storage of cryogenic liquids positioned under the seabed comprising: • one or more modular tank elements, externally consisting of a reinforced concrete structure and internally completed with a suitable first containment structure of cryogenic liquid and a suitable second containment structure of cryogenic liquid; • connection means of the tank with the surface utilities comprising inlet/outlet ducts of the cryogenic liquid, ducts for managing the boil-off and access channel for the inspection of the tank.

Description

STORAGE SYSTEM OF CRYOGENIC LIQUIDS POSITIONED UNDER THE SEABED
The present invention describes a system and the rela- tive installation process for the storage of a cryogenic liquid, typically LNG, positioned under the seabed.
Cryogenic liquids refer to all liquids at a temperature lower than -400C.
The storage of LNG, in correspondence with liquefac- tion or regasification terminals, can take place in the known art : β On-shore in suitable tanks (typically cylindrical) ;
• Offshore in GBS structures (Gravity Based Structures) (WO2005043031; US-7100261) or in floating terminals. The offshore solution in GBS Structures has the following critical aspects:
• Traditional GBS sea structures partly emerge from the water level. This leads to a greater exposure to risks such as impact of the tanks with ships, attempts, etc. • GBS Structures are exposed to considerable structural side stress due to currents and waves. In order to be stable, the structure must have a ratio between weight and floating thrust higher than the unit. The ballast necessary generally consists of wet sand, contained in suitable ballast crates integrated in the GBS: i.e. it involves a considerable increase in the total volume of the structure and therefore a decrease in the ratio between the useful storage volume and the total volume.
• The large dimensions of the GBS Structures create diffi- culties in terms of transportation: the stress to which the structure is subjected during transportation must be taken into consideration in the projecting phase.
A new storage system of cryogenic liquid, typically LNG, has now been found, connected with reception or lique- faction terminals, in modular tank elements whose construction and installation method can be taken from that of immersed tunnels (road or railway, etc.), adapted to the containment of cryogenic liquid.
These tank elements can be modularly constructed on land, typically in a floodable basin close to the coast, transported into the sea by floating and installed by burying under the seabed previously dredged.
With respect to the known art, the advantages are:
• installation under the seabed avoids exposure of the structure to side stress due to currents and waves,- • installation under the seabed allows less exposure to risks such as impact with ships or attempts;
• navigability of the water overlying the structure;
• less ballast necessary (with the same storage capacity) for the stability of the structure and consequently with a lesser total volume of the structure itself;
• the modularity of the tanks allows a better transportation and facility of installation.
The system, object of the present invention, for the storage of cryogenic liquids positioned under the seabed essentially comprises:
• one or more modular tank elements, preferably in the form of a parallelepiped or cylinder with a circular or elliptic section, externally consisting of a reinforced concrete structure and internally completed with a suitable first containment structure of cryogenic liquid and a suitable second containment structure of cryogenic liquid (necessary in the case of loss of liquid of the first containment) ;
• connection means of the tank with the surface utilities comprising inlet/outlet ducts of the cryogenic liquid, ducts for managing the boil-off and access channel for the inspection of the tank.
The cryogenic liquids are preferably selected from LNG
(liquefied natural gas) , LN2 (liquid nitrogen) , LO2 (liquid oxygen) , LH2 (liquid hydrogen) and LCO2 (liquid carbon di- oxide) , more preferably LNG is used.
The suitable first containment structure of cryogenic liquid can be selected from one of those used in the known art, preferably from the following: • membrane (for example of the type NO96 or Mark III of GTT) with structural insulation, supported by a secondary structure;
• self-supporting structure having a suitable geometry (for example a prismatic self-supporting structure as described in US-7, 100,261 or a prismatic self-supporting structure of type B (SPB tank)), integrated with a suitable insulator.
The suitable second containment structure of cryogenic liquid is produced with a layer of material resistant to cryogenic temperatures (for example stainless steel, alumi- num) .
Figure 1 schematizes the vertical section of the modular tank element having a parallelepiped form, which consists of an external structure in cement (1) , an insulation system (2) , a first containment structure (3) and a second containment structure (4) .
The modular tank elements can be installed, according to the total capacity necessary for the storage of the cryogenic liquid, with a configuration with independent single modular tank elements or with a single configuration obtained by connecting the single elements of the tank with a method similar to that used in the construction of immersed tunnels.
The process for the installation of the modular tank elements, forming the system according to the invention, with a configuration with independent single modular tank elements, essentially comprises the following steps in succession:
• transportation of said modular tank elements into the sea, by floating with a buoy as far as the installation site;
• immersion of said modular tank elements by means of ballast tanks and subsequent positioning on the seabed previously dredged;
• covering of said modular tank elements positioned on the seabed with stones and/or part of the material previously dredged to ensure the stability of the whole structure.
In the configuration with independent single modular tank elements, each element is independently connected to the external utilities by said connection and management means of the tank.
Figure 2 schematizes a configuration with 4 modular tank elements (1) , independently connected to the external utilities by means of connecting channels (2) and the vertical connection channel with the outside (3) . The installation process of the modular tank elements, forming the system according to the invention, with a single configuration by connecting the single tank elements, with a configuration of the immersed marine tunnel type, essentially comprises the following steps in succession: • transportation of said modular tank elements into the sea, by floating with a buoy as far as the installation site;
• immersion, positioning in sequence and connection of said modular tank elements on the seabed previously dredged, so as to form a single tank;
• covering of said modular tank elements positioned on the seabed with stones and/or part of the material previously dredged to ensure the stability of the whole structure.
Figure 3 schematizes said configuration with the tank elements connected to each other forming a single tank (1) . The whole system is connected to the external utilities by means of a vertical channel (2) .
The difference between the two processes lies in the installation method which is more similar to the immersed tunnel technology.
The immersed tunnel technology is used worldwide in the field of road and railway works.
The specific characteristic of these tunnels lies in the fact that they are constructed onshore in single mod- ules (for example having dimensions of around 100 m x 40 m x 9 m) , and are then transported into the sea, positioned in sequence on the dredged seabed, connected so as to obtain a tunnel configuration and finally covered with stones and dredge material to ensure stability and protection. At the moment of construction, each module is provided with two temporary side walls, useful only for the installation phase, which are subsequently removed when the positioning of all the elements has been terminated.
The weight/floating thrust ratio for each module is equal to about 1.
The joining of the modules is hydraulic. When the module reaches its position, exactly in contact with the part of the tunnel already installed, the water remaining between the two bulkheads is sucked, thus generating a vacuum which allows the definitive joining of the ends, also thanks to a system of washers.
In the case of modular tank elements, these should, on the other hand, consist of permanent walls. The joining method between one module and another can be the same as that described above for immersed tunnels, the only difference lies in the communication system between 2 subsequent modules. The side walls between one module and another are not removed and the communication is ensured by a system of pipes which allow the communication separately of the liq- uid (in the lower part) and the gas (in the upper part) . The storage tunnel thus formed is provided with all the connections with the outside, such as liquid input and output pipes, boil-off pipes, channels for the maintenance of the submerged pumps and of the tank itself.
Figure 4 shows the joining and connection system between the modular tank elements in the single tank configuration. The joining between the external cement structures (1) is effected with washer systems (4) . The connection pipes between one element and another (2) and (3) serve for the communication of the liquid and gas boil-off.
Two embodiment examples of the present invention are provided of which the first is effected with a configuration having independent single elements, the second with a single configuration made up of single modules. Example 1
Configuration with independent single modules. In this example an estimated total quantity of cryogenic liquid of 30,000 m3 is stored. For this purpose only one modular tank element, described and schematized hereunder in a section not in scale in figure 1, may be sufficient.
Starting from possible internal dimensions of the module of 29 m in width and 9 m in height (quite typical of immersed tunnels) , the length necessary for the above total capacity is 112.2 m, which can be reached by only one tank element.
The insulator necessary for obtaining a BOR (boil-off rate) of 0.05% a day corresponds to a thickness of about 1.8 in of perlite. Considering an internal container of 9% Ni steel of bout 2 cm in thickness and with external walls of about 1 m in thickness, the following dimensions are obtained for the module.
Table 1 - GENERAL DATA Storage module
Example 2
Single configuration total of the single dependent modules . In this example an estimated total quantity of cryo- genie liquid of 180,000 m3 is stored. For this purpose several modular tank elements are necessary, which can by hy- pothetically installed as described above and schematized in figure 3.
Starting from possible internal dimensions of the mod- ule of 29 m in width and 9 m in height (quite typical of immersed tunnels) , the length necessary for the above total capacity is 775.8 m. This overall capacity can be reached with 7 elements, each having a length of 110.8 m
The insulator necessary for obtaining a BOR (boil-off rate) of 0.05% a day corresponds to a thickness of about 1.8 m of perlite. Considering an internal container of 9%Ni steel of bout 2 cm in thickness and with external walls of about 1 m in thickness, the following dimensions are obtained for the single modular tank element. Table 1 - GENERAL DATA Storage module
Considering a value of the weight/thrust ratio equal to about 0.95, each of the elements described above must weigh at least 59,200 t.

Claims

1. A system for the storage of cryogenic liquids positioned under the seabed comprising:
• one or more modular tank elements, externally consisting of a reinforced concrete structure and internally completed with a suitable first containment structure of cryogenic liquid and a suitable second containment structure of cryogenic liquid;
• connection means of the tank with the surface utilities comprising inlet/outlet ducts of the cryogenic liquid, ducts for handling the boil-off and access channel for the inspection of the tank.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the modular tank elements are in the form of a parallelepiped or cylin- der with a circular or elliptic section.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first containment structure of liquid is a membrane with structural insulation, supported by a secondary structure.
4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first containment structure of cryogenic liquid is a self- supporting structure having a suitable geometry.
5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the modular elements are installed with a configuration with independent single modular tank elements.
6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the modular elements are installed with a single configuration obtained by connecting the single tank elements.
7. A process for the installation of modular tank elements forming the system according to claim 1, with a con- figuration with independent single modular tank elements according to claim 5, to be positioned under the seabed, essentially comprising the following steps in succession:
• transportation of said modular tank elements into the sea, by floating with a buoy as far as the installation site;
• immersion of said modular tank elements by means of ballast tanks and subsequent positioning on the seabed previously dredged;
• covering of said modular tank elements positioned on the seabed with stones and/or part of the material previously dredged to ensure the stability of the whole structure.
8. A process for the installation of modular tank elements forming the system according to claim 1, with a single configuration obtained by connecting the single tank elements according to claim 6, to be positioned under the seabed, essentially comprises the following steps in succession.
• transportation of said modular tank elements into the sea, by floating with a buoy as far as the installation site; • immersion, positioning in sequence and connection of said modular tank elements on the seabed previously dredged, so as to form a single tank;
• covering of said modular tank elements positioned on the seabed with stones and/or sand to ensure the stability of the whole structure.
9. The process according to claim 7 or 8 wherein the cryogenic fluid is selected from LNG, LN2, LO2, LH2 and LCO2.
10. The process according to claim 9, wherein the cryogenic fluid is LNG.
EP08840272A 2007-10-18 2008-10-14 Storage system of cryogenic liquids positioned under the seabed Withdrawn EP2217846A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT002022A ITMI20072022A1 (en) 2007-10-18 2007-10-18 STORAGE SYSTEM FOR CRYOGENIC LIQUIDS POSITIONED UNDER THE MARINE FONDALE
PCT/EP2008/008853 WO2009049908A1 (en) 2007-10-18 2008-10-14 Storage system of cryogenic liquids positioned under the seabed

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EP2217846A1 true EP2217846A1 (en) 2010-08-18

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EP (1) EP2217846A1 (en)
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2840062C (en) * 2011-06-27 2016-02-09 Ihi Corporation Method for constructing low-temperature tank and low-temperature tank

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US3464175A (en) 1965-05-31 1969-09-02 Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Ind Low temperature liquid storage tank
JPS594600B2 (en) * 1976-07-02 1984-01-30 三井液化ガス株式会社 Low temperature liquefied gas tank
JPS58214096A (en) 1982-06-04 1983-12-13 Ohbayashigumi Ltd Underground tank for storing liquefied gas
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