EP2641009B1 - Tank for transporting and/or storing cryogenic liquids - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a tank for the transport and / or storage of liquefied natural gas, methane, propane, butane, ethylene or other cryogenic liquids. More particularly, the invention relates to tanks that are suitable for placement on board ships. It also refers to tanks that can be used as land tanks.

Cryogenic fluids are transported or stored at very low temperatures. This temperature is about minus 164 degrees Celsius for liquefied methane (LNG). For liquefied ethylene (LEG) it is minus 103 degrees Celsius. Liquefied gas tankers with membrane tanks are known in which a membrane of the tank is held in the ship's hull. Furthermore, liquefied gas tankers are known with self-supporting tanks. It is also known to produce the tanks for weight saving of aluminum.

The closest prior art is the EP 1 723 053 B1 , This describes an aluminum tank for storage of LNG or the like media at very low temperatures. The tank consists at least substantially of prefabricated construction elements of less different types. The construction elements have planar elements of mechanically extruded aluminum profile elements, which are used as jacket panels of the tank. The profile elements have a planar part and a stiffening part, wherein the stiffening part extends substantially perpendicular to the planar part. The profile elements are welded together at their planar parts by means of a friction welding process to form the planar elements. Furthermore, the planar elements are provided with longitudinal and / or transverse stiffeners, which are made of mechanically extruded aluminum profile elements, which are welded together by means of the friction-welding process. The stiffeners extend over the insides of the planar elements of the tank, being in the longitudinal direction of the aluminum profile elements or extending transversely across them. The stiffeners extending across the panels must be fixed either on the ends of the stiffening parts or on the insides of the planar parts of the profile elements. This limits the strength of the connection of the stiffeners with the planar elements.

The WO 2006/00 17 11 A2 describes a tank for storing liquids, especially at very low temperatures, which has outer plates forming at least part of the roof, sidewalls and floor. The tank has an internal cell structure with fluid connections between the cells of the cell structures. At least part of the outer panels have a layered sandwich structure. The inner cell structure serves as a support and anchoring for the outer plates. The cell structure may be connected directly to the inner wall of the plates or to fasteners arranged in the sandwich structure. Further, the inner cell structure may be connected to a flange which is fixed to the outer wall and projects into the tank. The flange may protrude from a connecting element having two U-shaped grooves in which elements of the outer wall are inserted. This compound is stable against stresses in the tensile and compressive direction of the cell walls. However, it is not stable against forces acting on the structure across the flange.

The WO 2008/103053 A1 describes a double-hull tank with inner and outer walls and inner horizontal columns. The tank walls consist of horizontal profile beam sections with two parallel flanges, which are connected by a web. The profile carrier sections are mounted one above the other and welded together on the adjacent longitudinal sides of their flanges. At the ends they are connected by connecting pieces. The profile carrier sections bear from the inner wall projecting Ribs. On the ribs are welded plate plates to which the supports are attached. The knee panels bridge the weld joints between the narrow sides of horizontally arranged profile support sections. The attachment of the supports to the tank walls is stable against tensile and compressive loads in the direction of the supports, but not against forces acting transversely to the ribs or barbs.

The prior art tanks are not suitable for use on board a liquefied gas tanker under sea conditions due to their limited strength. They are also not particularly suitable for use as a land tank, as they are not sufficiently stable to loads caused by liquid, wind and other influences.

Based on this, the object of the invention is to provide a more stable tank for the transport and / or storage of cryogenic liquids.

The object is achieved by a tank with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the tank are specified in subclaims.

• eine Tankhülle,
• wobei die Tankhülle Tankhüllenpaneele aufweist, die jeweils aus mehreren parallelen Tankhüllenprofilen aus stranggepresstem Leichtmetall gebildet sind, die jeweils eine Tankhüllenprofilplatte aufweisen, die einen Teil der Tankhülle bildet, und einen von der Innenseite der Tankhüllenprofilplatte vorstehenden Tankhüllenprofilsteg, wobei die Tankhüllenprofile an den längsseitigen Rändern der Tankhüllenprofilplatten durch Stumpfnähte miteinander verschweißt sind,
• wobei die Tankhülle ferner Verbindungsprofile aus stranggepresstem Leichtmetall umfasst, die jeweils eine Verbindungsprofilplatte, die einen Teil der Tankhülle bildet, und einen von der Innenseite der Verbindungsprofilplatte vorstehenden Verbindungsprofilsteg aufweisen, wobei die Verbindungsprofile zwischen benachbarten Tankhüllenpaneelen angeordnet sind, sich senkrecht zu den Tankhüllenprofilen erstrecken und an den Längsseiten der Verbindungsprofilplatten durch Stumpfnähte mit den Schmalseiten der Tankhüllenprofilplatten verschweißt sind,
• im Inneren des Tanks angeordnete Rahmenelemente, die an seitlichen Rändern mit den in den Tank hineinstehenden Enden der Verbindungsprofilstege verschweißt sind und
• Stützbleche in den Ecken zwischen den Paneelen und den Rahmenelementen, die jeweils an einem Rand mit einem Tankhüllenprofilsteg und an einem anderen Rand mit einem Rahmenelement verschweißt sind.

The tank according to the invention for the transport and / or storage of liquefied natural gas, methane, propane, butane, ethylene or other cryogenic liquids has

• a tank shell,
• wherein the tank shell comprises tank shell panels each formed of a plurality of parallel tank shell profiles of extruded light metal each having a tank shell profile plate forming part of the tank shell and a tank shell profile rib projecting from the inside of the tank shell profile plate, the tank shell profiles being attached to the tank shell profiles longitudinal edges of the tank shell profile plates are welded together by butt welds,
• wherein the tank shell further comprises extruded aluminum joint profiles each having a joint profile plate forming part of the tank shell and a connecting profile land protruding from the inside of the joint profile plate, the joint profiles being disposed between adjacent tank shell panels extending perpendicular to the tank shell profiles the longitudinal sides of the connecting profile plates are welded by butt welds with the narrow sides of the tank shell profile plates,
• arranged in the interior of the tank frame members which are welded at lateral edges with the projecting into the tank ends of the connecting profile webs and
• Support plates in the corners between the panels and the frame members, which are welded at one edge with a Tankhüllenprofilsteg and at another edge with a frame member.

In the tank according to the invention, the tank shell is composed essentially of tank shell panels and connecting profiles, which are arranged between the tank shell panels. The tank shell panels are composed of parallel tank shell profiles having tank shell profile plates and tank shell profile webs projecting from their insides. The tank cover profiles are welded together at the longitudinal sides of the tank shell profile plates by butt welds. The connection profiles have connection profile plates and connecting profile webs projecting from their insides. The connection profiles are disposed between adjacent tank shell panels, extending perpendicular to the tank shell profiles of the tank shell panels. The connection profile plates are on their long sides by Butt welds welded to the narrow sides of the tank shell profile plates of the adjacent tank shell profiles.

The tank cover profiles and the connection profiles are made of extruded light metal. Compared to profiles made of welded components, they are therefore not warped from the outset by heat input and impaired in their strength. Preferably, the light metal is aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

The frame members are welded to projecting into the tank ends of the connecting profile webs. Further, the frame members are fixed at the edges by means of support plates which are welded at the edge to a tank shell profile web and the respective frame member.

For the strength of the tank envelope profile is relevant to the tank shell profile plate adjacent part of the tank shell profile web. Decisive for the strength of the connection profile is the part of the connection profile web adjacent to the connection profile plate. The arrangement of the welds the heat input and the delay and the impairment of the base material in the relevant for the strength areas of the tank shell profiles and the connection profiles are kept low. The support plates can be advantageously arranged in the plane of the tank shell profile webs, which is aligned perpendicular to the plane of the adjacent connection profile web. Thus, the connection of the frame members with the tank shell panels also against loads in the direction perpendicular to the connecting profile webs high strength.

Overall, the tank according to the invention has a high resistance to contamination by liquid filled, swell, wind influences, etc. and a high durability. It is therefore particularly suitable for use on liquefied gas tankers and as a land tank. The tank can be designed with any dimensions and filling volumes. Due to its high strength, it is also suitable for tanks with very large filling volumes.

According to one embodiment, the tank shell profile webs and / or connecting profile webs at the end of a widened tank shell profile head and / or connecting profile head, with which the support plates are welded. The tank shell profile head increases the stability of the tank shell profiles and reduces the heat transfer into the base material of the tank shell profile web when welding the support plates. Accordingly, the connection profile head increases the stability of the connection profiles and reduces the heat transfer into the base material of the connection profile web when welding the frame elements. The tank envelope profile head and / or connection profile head is preferably a Tankhüllenprofilflansch and / or Verbindungsprofilflansch which is arranged perpendicular to the tank shell profile web and / or connecting profile web.

According to a further embodiment, the tank shell profile webs and / or the connecting profile webs at the outer ends and / or the support plates adjacent to the imaginary vertex of the edges on grooves. These grooves greatly reduce voltage spikes.

According to one embodiment, the tank shell profiles and / or the connection profiles have a mounting rib projecting from the outside of the tank shell profile plate and / or connection profile plate. According to a further embodiment, outer structural elements of the tank are welded to the outer ends of mounting ribs. Due to the mounting rib, the heat input into the tank cover profiles and / or connection profiles when Welding to external structural elements is reduced and loss of strength is avoided.

According to one embodiment, the outer structural elements holding means for a tank storage element and / or for a tank insulation and / or an outer safety barrier of the tank. The outer safety barrier may be formed by plates welded between the mounting ribs. The safety barrier serves to monitor the tightness of the tank shell and absorb leaks in the event of an accident.

According to one embodiment, the tank cover panels comprise intermediate plates, which are arranged between adjacent tank envelope profiles and are welded at longitudinal edges via butt welds with longitudinal edges of tank shell profile plates. The dimensions of the tank shell profile webs and / or connecting profile webs can be selected in the dimensioning of a tank according to the invention from a strength point of view. For given dimensions of these webs, the possible dimensions of the tank shell profile plates and the connection profile plates are subject to restrictions due to the application of the extrusion process. These restrictions can be compensated by using intermediate plates.

According to a further embodiment, the connection profiles, which connect two tank shell panels arranged in the same plane, are essentially T-shaped. In these connection profiles, the connection profile plates of a connection profile extend in a common plane.

According to a further embodiment, the connection profiles on Tankecken on connection profile plates, which are at an angle to each other Having plate portions, wherein the angle of the two plate portions corresponds to the angle between the Hauptausdehnungsrichtungen of the two adjacent, interconnected by the connecting profile tank shell panels and the connecting support web between the two plate sections protrudes into the tank. These connection profiles are also referred to below as "corner profiles". The angle between the plate sections is 90 degrees or 135 degrees according to embodiments. Connecting profiles with an angle of the plate sections of 90 degrees are inserted between two tank shell panels oriented perpendicular to each other. When the panel sections enter an angle of 135 degrees, the connection profiles between two tank shell panels are inserted to form a tank slope.

According to one embodiment, the frame elements are frame panels. With frame panels particularly solid tanks can be formed. In principle, carriers can also be used as frame elements. Mixed constructions are also possible.

According to a further embodiment, the frame panels comprise extruded frame profiles made of light metal, which are longitudinally welded together at the edges of frame profile plates by butt welds. The frame profiles preferably have stiffeners on the sides of the frame profile plates. Preferably, the stiffeners are formed by webs. Further preferably, the frame profiles cross profiles.

According to a further embodiment, the frame panels comprise frame intermediate plates, which are arranged between adjacent frame panels and welded at longitudinal edges via butt joints with longitudinal edges of frame profile plates. The frame intermediate plates also serve the compensation of production-related dimensional restrictions of the frame profile plates.

According to a further embodiment, the frame elements comprise longitudinal frames and / or transverse frames. The longitudinal frames extend in the Hauptausdehnungsrichtung of the tank and the transverse frame 90 ° in tank transverse direction rotated to. When arranging the tank on a ship, the longitudinal frame in the direction of the ship's longitudinal axis and the transverse frame are arranged perpendicular thereto.

According to a further embodiment, the frame elements comprise support frames and / or bulkhead frames. The support frames are preferably the strength of the tank and can be provided with large fluid passages. The bulkhead frames are used to prevent movements of tank fillings in the tank, which can lead to damage to the tank and can affect the vessel stability when the tank is placed on a ship. The bulkhead frames have smaller fluid passages than the support frames. Both the support frame and the bulkhead frame may include longitudinal frames and / or transverse frames.

According to one embodiment, the support frames have through holes for liquid occupying a larger area than the part of the support frame arranged in the same plane, and / or the bulkhead frames have through holes for liquid occupying a smaller area than that arranged in the same plane Part of the bulkhead frame.

According to a further embodiment, the frame panels are vertically aligned.

According to a further embodiment, the longitudinal and transverse frames are connected to each other at their outer edges via vertical frame connection profiles. According to a further embodiment, the vertical frame connection profiles are cross profiles.

In accordance with one embodiment, the frame elements are welded to the connection carrier webs via adapter plates welded on at the edge. The adapter plates can be welded on the edge side via butt welds to the frame elements and / or the connecting carrier webs. According to a further embodiment, the support plates are welded to the adapter plates. The welding of the support plates with the adapter plates takes place on the wide side surfaces of the adapter plates.

According to a further embodiment, the tank cover profiles in the bottom and / or in the ceiling of the tank are aligned transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tank and / or aligned vertically or inclined in the side walls of the tank to the bottom or the ceiling of the tank or the frame profiles are aligned horizontally.

• In den Zeichnungen zeigen:

  Fig. 1

  einen achsensymmetrischen prismatischen Tank aus Leichtmetall für kroygene Flüssigkeiten in einer Perspektivansicht schräg von oben und von der Seite;

  Fig. 2

  verschiedene weitere Ausführungen achsensymmetrischer prismatischer Tanks in einer Perspektivansicht schräg von oben und von der Seite;

  Fig. 3

  der Tank von Fig. 1 in einem Querschnitt;

  Fig. 4

  Tank von Fig.1 in einer perspektivischen Innenansicht;

  Fig. 5

  Tank von Fig. 1 in einer Innenansicht aus einer anderen Perspektive;

  Fig. 6

  Tankhüllenpaneele und ihre Elemente in einer Perspektivansicht schräg von oben und von der Seite;

  Fig. 7

  Tank gemäß Fig. 1 in einem vertikalen Teilschnitt durch eine Ecke;

  Fig. 8

  Tank gemäß Fig. 1 in einem vertikalen Teilschnitt durch die Decke;

  Fig. 9

  Boden und Rahmen des Tanks gemäß Fig. 1 in einer perspektivischen Innenansicht;

  Fig. 10

  Tankhüllenprofil eines Tanks gemäß Fig. 1 in einer perspektivischen Teilansicht;

  Fig. 11

  Rahmenverbindungsprofil eines Tanks gemäß Fig. 1 in einer perspektivischen Teilansicht;

  Fig. 12

  Verbindungsprofil für eine Ecke eines Tanks gemäß Fig. 1 in einer perspektivischen Teilansicht;

  Fig. 13

  Ecke eines Tanks gemäß Fig. 1 mit Tankhüllenpaneelen, Verbindungsprofilen und Rahmenpaneelen in einem teilweisen vertikalen Querschnitt;

  Fig. 14

  Verbindung von längs- und quergerichteten Rahmenpaneelen mit horizontalen Rahmenprofilen durch ein vertikales Rahmenverbindungsprofil in einer perspektivischen Teilansicht schräg von oben und von der Seite;

  Fig. 15

  Verbindung von längsgerichteten und quergerichteten Rahmenpaneelen mit vertikalen Rahmenprofilen über ein vertikales Rahmenverbindungsprofil in einer Perspektivansicht schräg von oben und von der Seite;

  Fig. 16

  Tankhülle aus Tankhüllenprofilen mit einer Sicherheitsbarriere in einer perspektivischen Schnittansicht.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments:

• In the drawings show:

  Fig. 1

  an axially symmetric prismatic light metal tank for kroygene liquids in a perspective view obliquely from above and from the side;

  Fig. 2

  various other versions of axisymmetric prismatic tanks in a perspective view obliquely from above and from the side;

  Fig. 3

  the tank of Fig. 1 in a cross section;

  Fig. 4

  Tank of Fig.1 in a perspective interior view;

  Fig. 5

  Tank of Fig. 1 in an interior view from a different perspective;

  Fig. 6

  Tank shell panels and their elements in a perspective view obliquely from above and from the side;

  Fig. 7

  Tank according to Fig. 1 in a vertical partial section through a corner;

  Fig. 8

  Tank according to Fig. 1 in a vertical partial section through the ceiling;

  Fig. 9

  Floor and frame of the tank according to Fig. 1 in a perspective interior view;

  Fig. 10

  Tank shell profile of a tank according to Fig. 1 in a perspective partial view;

  Fig. 11

  Frame connection profile of a tank according to Fig. 1 in a perspective partial view;

  Fig. 12

  Connection profile for a corner of a tank according to Fig. 1 in a perspective partial view;

  Fig. 13

  Corner of a tank according to Fig. 1 with tank shell panels, connecting profiles and frame panels in a partial vertical vertical section;

  Fig. 14

  Connection of longitudinal and transverse frame panels with horizontal frame profiles by a vertical frame connection profile in a perspective partial view obliquely from above and from the side;

  Fig. 15

  Connecting longitudinal and transverse frame panels to vertical frame profiles via a vertical frame connection profile in a perspective view obliquely from above and from the side;

  Fig. 16

  Tank shell from tank shell profiles with a safety barrier in a perspective sectional view.

An inventive tank can be designed with an integrated safety barrier or drip tray. It is designed and constructed for the storage and transport of cryogenic liquids, primarily liquefied natural gas.

The tank according to the invention is a self-supporting tank of aluminum, an aluminum alloy or another light metal or a light metal alloy. In the following, the possible materials, including other light metals and light metal alloys, are referred to as "aluminum".

The versions of the tank of Fig. 1 and 2 are prismatic and axially symmetric in the longitudinal direction. Fig. 2 shows two versions of the tank, which have axially symmetrical tapers in the longitudinal direction, and a cuboid tank.

The below explained in more detail tank of Fig. 1 includes construction elements 1 to 32, which are summarized at the end of the description in a list of reference numerals. The construction elements 1 to 32 are preferably made of 6000-alloy aluminum. For lightly stressed components and assemblies, other aluminum alloys can also be used.

A feature of the tank is the use of extruded aluminum profiles for the construction of the tank shell 1 and the inner structural members 4, 5, 6. For the construction of the tank shell 1, a combination of extruded beams 21, 22 and plates 23 is aluminum possible. For all inner structural elements 4, 5, 6 a combination of extruded supports and plates made of aluminum is provided.

The longitudinal and transverse connections of the frame support structures 4, 5, 6 via special vertically oriented, extruded cross sections made of aluminum. These are also referred to as vertical connection profiles 10.

The tank shell 1 is a single-shell construction. It consists essentially of flat panels 11, which are made of drawn aluminum beams, and special (corner) connecting profiles 2 and connecting profiles 3, which connect the individual tank shell panels 11 to a complete tank shell 1.

The tank shell panels 11 may be made of asymmetrical extruded aluminum profiles 21 or of symmetrical extruded aluminum profiles 22 in conjunction with intermediate plates 23.

Each individual tank shell panel 11 essentially consists of a number of individual profiles 21, 22 resulting from the screening of the tank and / or additional intermediate plates 23 between the individual tank shell profiles 21, 22.

The tank envelope profiles 21, 22 and possibly intermediate plates 23 are joined to panels by means of friction stir welding or fusion welding (eg MIG, TIG, laser, laser hybrid).

The number of tank shell profiles 21, 22 or intermediate plates 23 and thus the lengths of the tank shell panels 11 are determined by the tank design and the technical manufacturing capabilities.

In the structural design of the structure of the tank shell 1 and all connections between the inner and outer structural elements such as support plates 8, longitudinal frame 5, transverse frame 4 and bulkhead frame 6 butt joints are used as welded joints ("butt"). This increases the reliability and the life of the tank.

The dimensions of the profiles, in particular the material thickness of the tank shell profile plates 26 and thus the plating of the tank shell 1 and the dimensions of the stiffeners 24, 25 (tank shell profile webs 24 and possibly Tankhüllenprofilflansche 25) of the tank shell within a Tankhüllenpaneels 11 may vary and thus be adapted to the design requirements ,

The welding technology for connecting the tank shell profiles 21, 22 to a tank shell panel 11 can be adapted according to the design and material thicknesses used and the technical welding possibilities as well as the respective prior art. A combination of different welding technologies in the manufacture of a tank shell panel 11 is also possible.

Essential components of the structure of the tank shell 1 are the tank shell profile plates 26, which form the actual container for storage and transport of the liquid medium. The Tankhüllenbeplattung is formed from the tank shell profile plates 26 of the tank shell profiles 21, 22nd

Furthermore, substantially stiffening elements 24, 25, which are formed by tank shell profile webs 24 and optionally Tankhüllenprofilflanschen 25 of the tank shell profiles 21, 22. The stiffening elements can have a symmetrical design in the optimum shape for the Tankhüllenprofilflansch 25. Depending on the requirement, however, they can also have an asymmetrical shape.

Furthermore, the head of the stiffening elements 24, 25 at the junction between the tank cover profile web 24 and the Tankhüllenprofilflansch 25 always designed so that all, according to the design provided inner structural elements 4, 5, 6 can be welded without the tank shell profile web 24 through the joining process is significantly influenced in its material properties. At the same time, a high degree of automated welding is possible.

Outside the tank shell profiles 21,22 are provided with a mounting rib 27 ("welding and mounting rib"). This is integrated into the design of the tank shell profiles 21,22. It serves as a connecting element between the Tankhüllenbeplattung from the tank shell profile plates 26 and outer structural elements 28, 29. The outer structural elements 28, 29 are, for example, support surface in the tank foundation area or parts of a holder or attachment of a tank insulation.

Compared with conventional constructions, the original material properties are essentially secured in the tank according to the invention, such as tank shell profile webs 24.

Due to the non-thermal processing - such. As mechanical processing or water jet cutting - the aluminum profiles especially in the tank shell profile web 24 and the mounting rib 27 before connecting the tank shell profiles 21, 22 to the tank shell panel 11, the thermal load of the aluminum material is substantially reduced. The tank shell profiles 21, 22, in conjunction with the design and definition of weld areas ensure the base material properties in substantial strength areas of the tank design and allow optimal utilization of the available material resources.

By using the special (corner) connection profiles 2 and connection profiles 3, individual tank shell panels, which form bottom, hopper, side, roof and tank end regions, are connected to the uniform tank shell 1. The new tank design gets along without the usual rounded tank edges and their complicated transitions, especially in the sides of the tank.

The constructively new design of the tank shell profiles 21, 22, the tank shell profile plates 26 and the inner reinforcing elements 24 and optionally 25 and the outer welding and mounting rib 27 allow the welding of structural and equipment elements 28 in the tank shell 1 with minimized risk of cracking and securing the maximum Material properties in important areas of tank design. In particular, the frame members 4, 5, 6 with the stiffening elements 24, 25 of the tank shell profiles 21, 22 and the (corner) connecting profiles 2 and the connecting profiles 3 connected.

The longitudinal frame 5 and transverse frame 4 are interconnected by vertical frame connection profiles 10. The vertical frame connection profiles 10 are cross profiles as in FIGS Fig. 11 . 14 and 15 ,

The mounting rib 27 of the tank shell profiles 21, 22 allows the attachment of an additional safety barrier for the inerting and / or as a drip pan. For this purpose, a safety barrier of safety barrier plates 32 is fixed on the mounting ribs 27 by means of a conventional welding process. The safety barrier allows for early leak detection.

1. 1. Das Tanksystem ist geeignet zur Lagerung und zum Transport von sehr kalten kryogenen Flüssigkeiten bis zu einer Temperatur von ca. -164 °C, wie zum Beispiel verflüssigtem Erdgas, Propan, Butan oder Ethylen. Die Grundform des Tanks hat einen prismatischen Querschnitt und ist in Tanklängsrichtung achsensymmetrisch. Das Tanksystem ist ein selbständiges und aus Aluminium konstruiertes Einhüllensystem, das im Bereich der Tankhülle ausschließlich aus ebenen geraden Paneelstrukturen und speziellen Eckprofilen besteht. Die Tankhülle bildet ein System aus, im Raster angeordneten, stranggepressten Aluminiumprofilen (21 oder 22), wobei zur Realisierung höherer Profilabstände auch Zwischenplatten (23) zwischen den Aluminiumprofilen eingesetzt werden können. Im Boden und im Tankdachbereich verlaufen die Versteifungen / Profilstege (24) grundsätzlich quer zur Tanklängsrichtung. Im Tankwandbereich kann die Profilrichtung vertikal oder horizontal oder in der Kombination zwischen beiden Richtungen verlaufen. Die inneren Strukturelemente bilden ein System aus Längs-(5) und Querrahmen (4), Schlagschotten (6), Stützblechen (8) und gegebenenfalls Stringern (7). Die inneren Strukturelemente sind besteifte ebene paneelartige Strukturen, die aus stranggepressten Aluminiumprofilen und oder Aluminiumplatten oder in Kombination aus stranggepressten Aluminiumprofilen und Aluminiumplattenmaterial bestehen. Alle Rahmenträger-, Schott- und Stringerstrukturen sind grundsätzlich auf den Profilflanschen (25) der Versteifungselemente der Tankhülle angeschlossen und nicht direkt mit der Tankbeplattung (1) verbunden. Als Fügeverfahren zum Verbinden der stranggepressten Aluminiumprofile und / oder der Aluminiumplatten für den Bereich der Tankhülle als auch der inneren Strukturelemente kommen alle zum Fügen von Aluminium zugelassen Schweißverfahren zur Anwendung.
2. 2. Der Tank ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er nahezu keine Größenlimitierung im Bereich von 1m³ bis ca. 200000 m³ gibt, das er ein eigenständiger, sich selbst tragender Tank ist, wobei der Querschnitt sich innerhalb eines Tanks variieren kann z.B. vom Achteck auf ein Sechseck. Grundsätzlich ist der Tank in Tanklängsrichtung nach Ziffer 1 achsensymmetrisch.
3. 3. Der Tank ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass entsprechend Ziffer 1 grundsätzlich spezielle extrudierte Eckprofile (2), mit unterschiedlichem Design, als Verbindungsglied zwischen den einzelnen Tankhüllenpaneelstrukturen verwendet werden. Ferner ist der Tank dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass durch das spezielle Design der Tankhüllenprofile (21 und 22) mit der integrierten Schweiß- und Montagerippe (27) im Bereich der Tankhülle grundsätzlich nur Stumpfstoßverbindungen im Bereich der Tankhülle zur Anwendung kommen.
4. 4. Der Tank ist dadurch gekennzeichnet dass entsprechend Ziffer 1 als Verbindungsglied zwischen zwei ebenen Tankhüllenpaneelen ein spezielles Verbindungsprofil (3) eingesetzt wird, welches die Tankhüllenpaneele (11) verbindet und gleichzeitig die quer zur Profilrichtung verlaufende innere Strukturelemente wie zum Beispiel Längsrahmen (5) aufnimmt.
5. 5. Der Tank ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass entsprechend Ziffer 1 in der vertikalen Verbindung zwischen Längsrahmen (5) und Querrahmen (4) grundsätzlich ein vertikales Verbindungsprofil (10) verwendet wird, welches in der Regel ein kreuzartiges Design beinhaltet.
6. 6. Der Tank ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass durch die Bearbeitung der Aluminiumprofile mit nichtthermischen Bearbeitungsverfahren wie zum Beispiel Wasserstahlschneiden, Fräsen, Sägen usw. die Grundmaterialeigenschaften für wichtige Festigkeitsbereiche wie zum Beispiel alle Profilstege (24), gegenüber den thermischen Fügeverfahren im Bereich der Tankhüllenplatten (26) oder auch der Rahmenträgerplatte (30) erhalten werden.
7. 7. Der Tank ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der auf die Tankhülle wirkende Flüssigkeitsdruck durch die im Tank angeordneten Strukturelemente wie Längsrahmen (5), Querrahmen (4), Schottrahmen (6), Stützbleche (8) und Stringer (7) abgetragen werden kann, ohne das die genannten Strukturelemente direkt mit der Tankhüllenbeplattung (26) verschweißt sind.
8. 8. Der Tank ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Quer- (4)und Längsrahmenträgerstrukturen (5) aus ebenen Paneelstrukturen bestehen, die aus symmetrischen Kreuzprofilen (31) gefertigt werden. In speziellen Bereichen wie kleinen Ecken oder speziellen Festigkeitsbereichen wird die Paneelstruktur durch Aluminiumplattenmaterial ergänzt.
9. 9. Der Tank ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er durch das spezielle Design der Tankhüllenprofile (21 und 22) mit der integrierten Schweiß- und Montagerippe (27) die Möglichkeit zur Integration einer zusätzlichen Sicherheitsbarriere durch den Einbau der Zwischenplatte-Sicherheitsbarriere (32) bietet, so dass ein barrierefreier Inertisierungs- und Spülbereich zwischen der Tankhülle und der Tankisolierung entsteht.

There follow further design features, advantages and effects of the tank according to the invention:

1. 1. The tank system is suitable for the storage and transport of very cold cryogenic liquids up to a temperature of about -164 ° C, such as liquefied natural gas, propane, butane or ethylene. The basic shape of the tank has a prismatic cross-section and is axisymmetric in the tank longitudinal direction. The tank system is a self-contained single-shell system constructed of aluminum, which in the tank shell area consists exclusively of flat straight panel structures and special corner profiles. The tank shell forms a system, arranged in a grid, extruded aluminum profiles (21 or 22), and to realize higher profile distances and intermediate plates (23) can be used between the aluminum profiles. In the floor and in the tank roof area, the stiffeners / profile webs (24) generally run transversely to the tank longitudinal direction. In the tank wall area, the profile direction vertically or horizontally or in combination between both directions. The inner structural elements form a system of longitudinal (5) and transverse frame (4), baffle plates (6), support plates (8) and possibly stringers (7). The internal structural elements are designed to be planar panel-like structures consisting of extruded aluminum profiles and or aluminum panels or in combination of extruded aluminum profiles and aluminum panel material. All frame support, bulkhead and stringer structures are basically connected to the profile flanges (25) of the stiffening elements of the tank shell and not directly connected to the Tankbeplattung (1). As joining methods for joining the extruded aluminum profiles and / or the aluminum plates for the area of the tank shell as well as the inner structural elements, all welding methods approved for joining aluminum are used.
2. 2. The tank is characterized by the fact that it gives almost no size limitation in the range of 1m ³ to about 200000 m ³ , which makes it an independent, self-supporting tank, the cross section may vary within a tank eg from the octagon a hexagon. Basically, the tank is axially symmetrical in the tank longitudinal direction according to number 1.
3. 3. The tank is characterized in that according to section 1, in principle, special extruded corner profiles (2), with different designs, are used as a connecting link between the individual tank shell panel structures. Furthermore, the tank is characterized by the fact that due to the special design of the tank cover profiles (21 and 22) with the integrated welding and mounting rib (27) in the area of the tank shell, basically only butt joints are used in the area of the tank shell.
4. 4. The tank is characterized in that according to item 1 as a link between two flat tank cover panels, a special connection profile (3) is used, which connects the Tankhüllenpaneele (11) and at the same time extending transversely to the profile direction inner structural elements such as longitudinal frame (5) ,
5. 5. The tank is characterized in that according to item 1 in the vertical connection between the longitudinal frame (5) and transverse frame (4) is basically a vertical connection profile (10) is used, which usually includes a cross-like design.
6. 6. The tank is characterized by the fact that, by machining the aluminum profiles with non-thermal processing techniques such as water jet cutting, milling, sawing etc., the base material properties for important strength areas such as all profile webs (24), compared to the thermal joining processes in the tank shell plates ( 26) or the frame support plate (30) are obtained.
7. 7. The tank is characterized in that the liquid pressure acting on the tank envelope can be removed by the structural elements arranged in the tank, such as longitudinal frame (5), transverse frame (4), bulkhead frame (6), support plates (8) and stringers (7), without the said structural elements welded directly to the Tankhüllenbeplattung (26).
8. 8. The tank is characterized in that the transverse (4) and longitudinal frame support structures (5) consist of planar panel structures made of symmetrical cross profiles (31). In special areas such as small corners or special strength areas, the panel structure is supplemented by aluminum plate material.
9. 9. The tank is characterized by the possibility of integrating an additional one by the special design of the tank cover profiles (21 and 22) with integrated welding and mounting rib (27) Safety barrier through the installation of the intermediate plate safety barrier (32), so that a barrier-free inerting and rinsing between the tank shell and the tank insulation is created.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

tank shell

1

(Corner) connecting profile

2

connection profile

3

cross frame

4

longitudinal frame

5

Schott frame

6

Stringer

7

gussets

8th

tank farm

9

(vertical) frame connection profile

10

(even) panel

11

adapter plate

12

Tank shell profile (asymmetrical)

21

Tank shell profile (symmetrical)

22

Intermediate plate (tank shell)

23

Tank shell profile web

24

Tankhüllenprofilflansch

25

Tank shell profile plate

26

Mounting rib (outside)

27

outer support plates

28

Guide profile for tank farm

29

Frame support plate

30

(symmetrical) cross profile

31

Security barrier plates

32

Inertisierungsbereich

33

Claims (22)

1. A tank for transporting and/or storing liquefied natural gas, methane, propane, butane, ethylene or other cryogenic liquids, with

   • a tank casing (1),

   • wherein the tank casing (1) comprises tank casing panels (11), which are each formed by several parallel tank casing profiled elements (22) made of extruded light metal, which have each one a tank casing profiled element plate (26) which forms a part of the tank casing (1), and a tank casing profiled element web (24) protruding from the inner side of the tank casing profiled element plate (26), wherein the tank casing profiled elements (22) are welded to each other by means of butt welds at the long-side edges of the tank casing profiled element plates (26), and

   • frame elements (10) arranged in the interior of the tank,

   • characterized in that

   • the tank casing (1) comprises furthermore connecting profiled elements (2, 3) made of extruded light metal, which each comprise a connecting profiled element plate which forms a part of the tank casing (1), and a connecting profiled element web protruding from the inner side of the connecting profiled element plate, wherein the connecting profiled elements (2, 3) are arranged between adjacent tank casing panels (11), extend perpendicularly to the tank casing profiled elements (22) and are welded at the longer sides of the connecting profiled element plates to the narrow sides of the tank casing profiled element plates (26) by means of butt welds,

   • the frame elements (10) are welded at lateral edges to the ends of the connecting profiled element webs projecting into the tank, and

   • support plates (8) in the corners between the panels (11) and the frame elements (10), which are each welded at an edge to a tank casing profiled element web (24), and at another edge to a frame element (10).
2. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the tank casing profiled element webs (24) and/or the connecting profiled element webs have a broadened tank casing profiled element head and/or connecting profiled element head at the end, to which the support plates (8) and/or the frame elements (10) are welded.
3. A tank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tank casing profiled element webs (24) and/or the connecting profiled element webs have recesses at the outer ends, and/or the support plates (8) have recesses adjacent to the imaginary vertex of the edges.
4. A tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tank casing profiled elements (22) and/or the connecting profiled elements (2, 3) have a mounting rib (27), protruding from the outer side of the tank casing profiled element plate (26) and/or the connecting profiled element plate.
5. The tank according to claim 4, wherein outer structural elements of the tank are welded to the outer ends of mounting ribs (27).
6. The tank according to claim 5, wherein the outer structural elements comprise holding means for a tank supporting element (9) and/or for a tank insulation and/or an outer security barrier of the tank.
7. A tank according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tank casing panels (11) comprise intermediate plates (23), which are arranged between adjacent tank casing profiled elements (22) and are welded at long side edges to long side edges of tank casing profiled element plates (26) by means of butt welds.
8. A tank according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the connecting profiled elements (2, 3) which connect two tank casing panels (11) arranged in the same plane, are essentially T-shaped.
9. A tank according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the connecting profiled elements (2) have connecting profiled element plates on tank corners, which comprise plate sections aligned at an angle to each other, wherein the angle of the two plate sections corresponds to the angle between the main expansion directions of the two adjacent tank casing panels (11) that are connected to each other by the connecting profiled element (2), and the connecting profiled element web between the two plate sections protrudes into the tank.
10. A tank according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the frame elements (10) are frame panels.
11. The tank according to claim 10, wherein the frame panels comprise extruded frame profiled elements (10) made of light metal, which are lengthwise welded to each other at the edges of frame profiled element plates by means of butt welds.
12. The tank according to claim 11, wherein the frame profiled elements (10) are cross profiled elements (31).
13. A tank according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the frame panels comprise intermediate frame plates, which are arranged between adjacent frame panels and are welded on longitudinal edges to longitudinal edges of frame profiled element plates by means of butt welds.
14. A tank according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the frame elements (10) comprise longitudinal frames (5) and/or transverse frames (4).
15. A tank according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the frame elements (10) comprise support frames and/or bulkhead frames.
16. The tank according to claim 15, wherein the support frames have through-holes for liquid, which occupy a greater surface area than the part of the support frame arranged in the same plane, and/or wherein the bulkhead frames have through-holes for liquid, which occupy a smaller surface area than the part of the bulkhead frame arranged in the same plane.
17. A tank according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the frame panels are directed perpendicularly.
18. A tank according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the longitudinal- and transverse frames (5, 4) are connected to one another at their outer edges by means of vertical frame connecting profiled elements (10).
19. The tank according to claim 18, wherein the vertical frame connecting profiled elements (10) are cross profiled elements (31).
20. A tank according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the frame elements (10) are welded to the connection carrier webs by means of adapter plates (12) which are welded on at the edges.
21. The tank according to claim 20, wherein the support plates (8) are welded to the adapter plates (12).
22. A tank according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the tank casing profiled elements (22) are directed transversely to the longitudinal direction in the bottom and/or the ceiling of the tank, and/or are directed perpendicularly or in an inclination to bottom or ceiling of the tank in the side walls of the tank, and/or wherein the frame profiled elements (10) are directed horizontally.

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