EP2651782A1

EP2651782A1 - Double-walled vessel

Info

Publication number: EP2651782A1
Application number: EP11797310.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kevin Tannenberger
Original assignee: WEW Westerwaelder Eisenwerk GmbH
Current assignee: WEW Westerwaelder Eisenwerk GmbH
Priority date: 2010-12-15
Filing date: 2011-12-12
Publication date: 2013-10-23
Also published as: DE102010054584B4; WO2012080182A1; DE102010054584A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a double-walled vessel (2) in a tank-container arrangement (1), having an inner vessel (3) and a plurality of outer-vessel elements (7, 21, 26; 31 a, 31 b, 36), which define an interspace with a plurality of interspace regions (12aj, 12an, 12b, 12c). An outer-vessel element (7, 21, 26; 31 a, 31b, 36) here has a plurality of accesses (15; 15'; 15a; 15b) each assigned to an interspace region (12al 5 12an, 12b, 12c), and therefore the interspace as a whole can be monitored by means of an endoscope via these accesses (15; 15'; 15a; 15b).

Description

DOUBLE-WALLED CONTAINER The present invention relates to a double-walled container having an inner container and a plurality of outer container elements defining a space having a plurality of clearance areas.

Such double-walled containers are known, for example, from EP 1 407 981 B1. Double-walled containers increase storage and / or transport safety by protecting an inner container that receives the load from additional outer container elements. In this case, these outer container elements form an outer container surrounding the inner container. The outer container elements comprise the inner container at least up to the intended maximum filling level of the inner container or surround it completely. In the event of leakage of the inner container prevent the outer container elements, that despite the leaky inner container load can escape.

Often, the space formed between the inner container and the outer container is provided with leakage monitoring indicating leakage between the inner container and the space or between the outer container and the space. For this purpose, for example, the gap is partially evacuated. A pressure sensor indicates when the vacuum in the space breaks down, so the pressure rises there. A signal then emitted indicates a leak to the inner container or leakage to the outside through the outer container. If the leak occurs in the inner container, escaping cargo is collected in the outer container. If the leak in the outer container occurs, there is also no danger, it must only the tightness of the outer container or the connections that are required for evacuation to be checked. For usual dangerous goods this hedge is sufficient. However, load will escape to the environment if the inner container and the outer container elements are leaking at the same time. To prevent this, the condition of the inner container and the outer container should be regularly monitored. In the conventional constructions, however, only a check of the inside of the inner container or the outside of the outer container is possible. A tour of the outside of the inner container and the inside of the outer container, so the gap itself, however, is not possible in the known double-walled containers, since the gap is not accessible. Based on this, the object is to provide a double-walled container, the interspace is optically monitored, so that it is possible to examine the outer wall of the inner container and the inner wall of the outer container (or the outer container elements) to possible errors, such as corrosion attacks or other material damage can be detected before it leads to leakage.

This object is achieved by the double-walled container according to claim 1. In this case, an outer container element forming the outer container has a plurality of accesses, each associated with a gap region, so that the entire intermediate space can be monitored by means of an endoscope (in this case the outer container elements are arranged in such a way) the interspace region is suitable for receiving and controllably positioning suitable endoscope elements).

In this context, the term endoscope describes optical aids which can be inserted into the intermediate space and have a pick-up button at the inserted end, which picks up image information from the intermediate space and transmits it to an output unit outside the intermediate space. The image information can thereby be transmitted optically (eg via optical fibers), but also electrically or by radio. The recording button may also comprise a camera component which converts the optical signals via a sensor into electrical signals, which are then transmitted transmitted to a monitor located outside the interspace. The recording button can be moved (eg pivoted, moved, rotated) via a controller and have additional lighting elements. Dangerous goods containers are often designed as cylindrical tanks, which have a tubular center piece which is closed at its ends with so-called end bottoms. For such containers, there are proven manufacturing processes and components. In the case of double-walled containers, a first outer container element at least partially surrounds the generally cylindrical, tubular inner tank section, usually up to the intended maximum filling level of the inner container, so that only one apex region of the inner container remains free. In addition, a second Außenbehältereiement is provided which surrounds each of the bottom portion of the inner container and is connected at its tank-side end with the cylindrical inner tank portion, while the other end is closed with a third outer ßenbehälterelement. The second and third Außenbehältereiement forms a kind of cup (sleeve with bottom), which is partially pushed onto the cylindrical inner tank or on the ends thereof.

There are embodiments in which the second outer container element is tubular and, with its end remote from the inner container, is connected to a receiving structure. In this embodiment, the second outer container element forms e.g. the possibility of connecting the double-walled container with a container frame and in particular on a proven ring caliper structure, as is known for example from DE 29 705 851 Ul.

In another embodiment, the second Außenbehältereiement adapted to the Krempenbereich the curved end bottoms, surrounds this toric curved area accordingly and is connected with its opening edge facing away from the Tnnenbehälter with a arranged on the inner container and the opening edge passing through tubular end ring. This arrangement may be advantageous for particularly large-volume container to be arranged in a container frame with standardized outer dimensions without the end ring exceeds the outer dimensions of the container. The diameter of the end ring can be smaller than the diameter of the outer tank here. In a further embodiment, the third Außenbehältereiement is formed as a disc whose curvature is adapted to the curvature of the end bottom of the inner tank, so that this disc is a largely constant distance to the outside of the end floor. This distance, or the width of the interior, may affect the construction of the adjusted endoscopes so that this can be safely guided, but freely navigable in the space.

In an embodiment in which the tank-side end of the second outer container element is connected via an intermediate ring with the (cylindrical portion) of the inner container, a corresponding distance to the inner container can also be set here. The intermediate ring can simultaneously serve as a support for the front edges of the first outer container element and also set the desired distance to the inner container, so that here also a monitorable and navigable space is formed. The intermediate ring can thus serve, for example, as a weld pool protection if the outer container elements are welded tightly to one another from the outside and to the inner container, but at the same time all interspace areas are to be connected to one another in a communicating manner. This can be achieved in that the intermediate ring is indeed continuously welded to the outer container elements, but only partially (folded) with the inner container.

There are other embodiments in which the accesses are designed as lockable guide neck. Such tube-like guide sockets give a defined direction to an inserted endoscope, so that intermediate regions assigned to the respective guide sockets can be "traversed" with an inserted endoscope in a repeatable and precise manner.

Curved guide sleeves with an insertion tangent approximately to the inner tank make it possible to guide an endoscope with minimized curvature and thus also with low sliding resistance in the intermediate space along the outer wall of the inner tank section or along the inner wall of the outer tank section.

The curvature of the pipe socket and the angle of the insertion end to the outer surface of the inner tank portion or to the inner surface of the outer tank portion can be adapted to the geometric conditions. The endoscope manipulation is particularly simple at radii of 100 to 300 mm and at angles of the central axis of the endoscope access to the outer surface of the inner tank section of 5 to 70 °, preferably 5 to 45 °. There are other embodiments in which the accesses are designed as closable flanges or flange strips with differently shaped openings. The openings may be formed as juxtaposed individual holes or as opening slots.

The invention further relates to a tank container arrangement with a double-walled container according to the invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. Showing:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective overall view of a tank container with a double-wall container according to the invention, in which the inner container is partially exposed,

Figure 2 is a perspective view in partial section of a first

Embodiment of a double-walled container according to the invention,

Figure 3 is a perspective view in partial section of a second

Embodiment of a container according to the invention,

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal sectional illustration of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical region of a double-walled container according to the invention,

6 is an enlarged view of the detail A of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an attached flange strip,

8 shows a perspective view of the flange strip shown in FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a flange with integrated connection elements,

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the flange strip shown in FIG. 9;

Figure 1 1, the representation of an orientation grid for an intermediate space in the cylindrical container area, and

12 shows the illustration of an orientation grid for an intermediate space in the container end region (bottom region).

FIG. 1 shows a tank container arrangement 1 with a double-walled container 2 according to the invention in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment. The double-walled container 2 has an inner container 3, which comprises a tubular, cylindrical, formed from shell sections 4 Tnnentankabschnitt 5 (see Fig. 4), which is closed at its ends with curved end floors 6. The inner tank section 5 and the curved end floors 6 are welded together, the end floors 6 are torispherically curved (e.g., basket bow, dished or elliptical shape). There are embodiments in which the inner tank section 5 is closed with flat curved bottoms or flat or curved windows.

The inner container 3 is surrounded by a plurality of outer container elements, namely a first outer container element 7, which partially surrounds the cylindrical tank section 5 so that only one apex region 8 of the cylindrical inner tank section 5 remains free, while the flanks and the sole region are surrounded by the first outer container element 7 (see FIG also Fig. 5). The upper edges of the first outer container element 7 extend to the maximum filling level (uppermost liquid level) 9 of the load 10 (FIG. 5). The outer container member 7 is connected to the inner tank portion 5 via a terminal strip 11a (e.g., welded).

Between the first outer container element 7 and the cylindrical inner tank section 5, a plurality of spacer elements 1 1 serving as spacers are arranged, which form a plurality of intermediate regions 12 a 1, 12 a ₂ , 12 a ₃ , 12 a _n . The front ends 13 of the first outer container element 7 each extend to the inner container 3 surrounding spacer rings 14 which are connected by spot welds with the inner container 3.

In the upper edge regions of the cylindrical outer container element 7 a plurality of accesses are arranged, which are designed as closable guide stub 15. The guide stubs 15 serve as an endoscope access and are curved (see Figures 5 and 6). At their upper end, they have a screw thread on a vertically extending connection end 16, which can be closed with a screw cap. The connection end 16 passes over a bend 17 and an insertion end 18, which opens into an outer opening element 19 in the cylindrical outer container element 7 in one of the intermediate space regions 12ai, 12a ₂ , 12a ₃ , 12a _n . At the insertion end of the pipe socket 15 forms with its central axis 20 an angle α of 5-70 degrees to the course of the inner container 3. The curvature 17 has in its neutral axis 17a has a radius r of 100 to 300 mm. The radius r and the inclination of the insertion end 18 to the outer wall course of the inner tank section 5 facilitates the targeted and controllable introduction of an endoscope into the intermediate space regions 12ai, 12a ₂ , 12a ₃ ... 12a _n , via one or more guide rods 15 are accessible.

Via each access (guide stub 15), a strip 12s of the intermediate space areas 12ai ... _n accessible, which runs along the outer wall of the inner tank 5 along. The width b of these strips 12s are dictated by the construction of the endoscope to be used. Suitable endoscopes have a pivotable end, on which a recording button can be remotely pivoted with a swivel radius RE and thus the entire width b of the strip 12 _S can depart. With a swivel radius RE of about 120 to 200 mm, the width b of the strip 12 _{S is} about 240 to 400 mm.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a further design alternative of the accesses, which are arranged here as openings 15a in a strip-like flange pocket 50, which is arranged at the upper edge of the first outer container element 7, which is connected to the inner tank section 5 via a connection strip 11a is. The openings 15a in the

Flange 50 are closed by means of a cover 51 and a seal 52 (for example by means of screws 53). The openings 15a are aligned with corresponding Openings in the outer container element 7. Flanschlasche 50, outer container element 7, terminal strip 1 la and inner tank section 5 are welded together.

Figures 9 and 10 show a modification of this variant, in which a flanged pocket 60 is also provided. However, this has as access instead of the comparatively small openings 15a elongated access slots 15b. In addition, a terminal block 1 lb is provided on the flange pocket 60, with which the flange pocket 60 is welded to the inner tank portion 5, and a support strip 62, which is welded to the outer container element 7. The access slots 1 5b are also closed by a cover 61 and a seal 62 via screws 63. In both embodiments, the access openings 15a, 15b are gripped at their edges to facilitate guidance of the endoscope.

At the front ends 13 of the inner container 3, the intermediate space regions 12b are formed differently. In a first embodiment (see Figures 2 and 4) each surrounds a second outer container element 21 tubular, cylindrical and concentric with the inner container 3, the curved end floors 6. At its tank-side end 22 of this second outer container element 21 extends on the spacer ring 14, here on the cylindrical Brim of the curved end floor 6 runs. In other embodiments, the spacer ring 14 can also extend in the end-side end region of the inner tank section 5. The other, tank facing away end 23 is connected to an angle ring 24, which in turn is connected to the front frame 25 of the tank container assembly 1.

The second outer container element 21 has a curved plate 26 serving as the third outer container element which, together with the second outer container element 21 and the spacer ring 14, defines the gap region 12b in the bottom region. In the illustrated embodiment serving as an assembly aid ring 27 serves as a stop which is inserted into the second outer container element 21 to set the installation depth of the curved plate 26 and set the distance s between the curved plate 26 and end floor 6. The radius of curvature of the curved disc 26 is matched to the radius of curvature of the cap of the end plate 6, so that the curved disc 26 and the cap depending on the distance s are substantially parallel to each other and the distance s, apart from the brim area, constant. In the second outer container element 21 also guide stub 15 are provided, which serve as a closable access for an endoscope and this is controllably inserted into the intermediate space region 12 b. In other embodiments, further accesses are provided in the arched disc 26 to also access the crimp zones of the gap regions 12b for optical inspection.

In a second exemplary embodiment (FIG. 5), the outer container elements are designed differently in the region of the end bottoms 6 of the inner container 3. Here, first, the brim of the curved end bottom 6 following, also brim-shaped second outer container element 31 a is provided, which ends with its tank-side end 32 on the spacer ring 14. At its other end, it has an opening edge 33 which ends on an end ring 31b passing through the second outer container element 31. The end ring 31 b is connected at its tank-side end in Krempenbereich the end plate 6 with the Tnnen- container 3 and at its other end with an angle ring 24 ', which in turn serves as a connection to a front frame 25 of a tank container assembly 1.

In the end ring 31b, a curved disc 36 is used, which forms a third outer container element together with the end ring 31b. Also, the second outer container member 31 a, the end ring 31 b and possibly also the curved disc 36 have formed as a guide neck access 15, 15 'for insertion of an endoscope. The access 15, 15 'are formed here as a short cylindrical non-curved neck. Here are the accesses 1 5 in the second outer container element 31 a for inspection of the intermediate region 12b, each extending between the spacer ring 14, second outer container member 31 a, end bottom 6 and end ring 31 b, while the access 15 'in the end ring 31 b and in the curved disc 36 for Inspection of the gap regions 12c serve, which extend between the end ring 31b, end floor 6 and curved plate 36. Again, the curved disc 36 at a distance s to the dome of the end plate 6. To improve the Tnspektionsergebnisse, the outer surface of the inner container 3 is divided into fields 41, which the spacing areas 12a, 12b, 12c provided with a grid (Fig and 12). Particular abnormalities are thus to locate during the inspection with respect to the tank surface and documentable. So it is also possible systematically compare previous inspection results with new inspection results and identify localized changes on the outer surface of the inner tank. FIG. 11 shows such a grid 40 for the floor area, FIG. 9 a for the cylindrical area. The grid 40 covers - similar to a latitude and longitude division - the entire covered surface of the inner container. The individual areas or fields 41 are assigned to a gap region 12a, 12b, 12c. The grid 40 is preferably applied permanently to the surface (eg by etching, laser treatment). In other embodiments, the grid 40 can also be applied to the inside of the outer container elements 7, 21, 26, 31 a, 31 b, 36.

Other versions and variants will become apparent to those skilled in the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. Double-walled container (2) in a tank container assembly (1) with an inner container (3) and a plurality of outer container elements (7, 21, 26, 31 a, 31 b, 36) having a gap with a plurality of intermediate space regions (12a, 12b, 12c ) establish,

wherein an outer container element (7, 21, 26; 31a, 31b, 36) has a plurality of accesses (15, 15 ', 15a, 15b), each associated with a gap region (12a, 12b, 12c), such that these accesses (15 ) the entire gap is controlled by endoscope.

2. Double-walled container (2) according to claim 1, wherein the inner container (3) is designed as a cylindrical tank with end floors (6) and

a first outer container element (7) at least partially surrounds a cylindrical inner tank section (5),

a second outer container element (21; 31a, 31b) surrounds the bottom region of the inner container (3) and is connected to the inner container (3) by one end (22; 32) and

the other end (23; 33) is closed by a third outer container element (26; 36).

3. Double-walled container (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second outer container element (21) is tubular and with its inner tank remote from the end (23) with a receiving structure (24) of the tank container assembly (1) is connected.

4. Double-walled container (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the end floors (6) of the inner container (3) are formed as curved bottoms and the second outer container element (31 a) each surrounds a brim area of the curved end floors (6) and with An opening edge (33) facing away from the container is connected to a tube-shaped end ring (3 1 b) arranged on the inner container (3).

5. Double-walled container (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the third outer container element (26; 36) is formed as a disc, the curvature least- at least partially adapted to the space corresponding to the curvature of the end bottom (6) of the inner container (3).

6. Double-walled container (2) according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the tank-side end (22; 32) of the second outer container element (21; 31 a) via a spacer ring (14) with the inner container (3) is connected.

7. Double-walled container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the accesses as a closable guide stub (1 5, 1 5 ') are formed.

8. Double-walled container (2) according to claim 7, wherein the guide stubs (15) are curved and have an insertion end (18), which is approximately tangential to the inner tank in the outer container element (7, 21, 26, 31a, 31b, 36). opens, so that an inserted endoscope in the space on the outer wall of the inner tank (3) can be guided along.

9. A double-walled container (2) according to claim 8, wherein the curvature of the guide stub (1 5) has a radius of 100 to 300 mm and the neutral axis (1 7a) of the endoscope access with the outer surface of the inner tank (5) an angle ( a) from 5 to 70 °, preferably 5 to 45 °.

10. Double-walled container (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the accesses as closable openings (15a, 15b) in a flange (50; 60) are formed.

1 tank container assembly (1) with an inner container (3) according to one of Ansprächen 1 to 10, wherein a frame structure (25) via an outer container element (7, 21, 26, 3 la, 3 lb, 36) with the double-walled Container (2) is connected.