FR2615928A1 - METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR PLACING A PRESSURIZED GAS STORAGE TANK AND ADAPTED TANK - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and an installation for setting up a pressurized gas storage tank, as well as a suitable tank. According to the invention, in order to install the tank in a semi-aerial manner, a casing 2 is constructed which is buried over the greater part of its height and inside which is partially housed, with a certain clearance and preferably vertically, the tank 1, which protrudes from the top of the casing, and there are provided positioning means 3, 17 and anchoring 14 of the tank on the casing, as well as sealing means 13. The invention applies in particular to installations with a propane tank intended for domestic use.

Description

The invention relates to the installation of a tank of

  storage of pressurized gas such as propane.

  Today, this type of tank is commonly found close to homes. Their occupants use the gas contained in the tank for their domestic use. Actually, the tanks of this type are, to the knowledge of the plaintiff, installed either underground, in the basement, or in an air way, ie on the surface

above ground.

  Regardless of the type of installation chosen,

standards are to be respected.

  Concerning the air tanks, one will note the constraints imposed relative to the freedom of access and the minimal distance of distance of a window or an opening of the housing. It should also be noted that the regulations in force prohibit placing a propane tank in a basin or a shallow area, taking into account the

  risks of gas accumulation in case of leakage.

  For underground installations, standards are even stricter. In this regard, note the periodic checks required to verify the good condition of the installation. In addition, and as we understand buried facilities impose additional manufacturing costs, operating, especially in terms of access to filling accessories and safety related to the tank, as well as in terms of maintenance of this

same tank.

  In general, the usual construction

  vats lend themselves to a possible burial.

  Nowadays, especially in urban areas with a high concentration of housing, such as suburban areas, there is a growing need for vats that could easily be concealed in the landscape, without being completely buried. , in order to avoid having to meet the particularly strict standards imposed on this type of installation.

  The invention aims to meet this need.

  For this purpose, it proposes a method for semi-aerated installation of a pressurized gas storage tank such as propane, in which: a casing is constructed which can receive the tank over at least part of its height and with a certain clearance, said casing being constructed so as to be open at its upper part and partially buried, it is housed, on only part of its height, the tank in said casing by providing means for positioning and maintaining the tank, avoiding any direct contact between said tank and the casing, it ensures a seal of the installation by means of a seal disposed between the tank and the upper part of the casing, and - it is perfect the maintenance of the tank by a

mooring to the casing.

  It is easy to understand that, by reducing the

  height above ground, we will facilitate the camouflage of the tank.

  In addition, although partly burying, the tank will retain the advantages of the "aerial" tanks in terms of operating standards. We will, therefore, improve manufacturing and operating costs, while ensuring ease of maintenance of the tank and its accessories.

filling and security.

  Note also that the provision of a seal between the tank and the casing will prevent any problem of gas accumulation under the tank at the bottom of the casing. At the same time, the risks of flooding, especially by rIght of water in the casing, will be avoided. Finally, the mooring means of the tank will allow. in case of upwelling of the basement in the casing, to maintain despite all the tank in position,

  thus avoiding its possible damage.

  In addition to this installation method, the invention also relates to the installation, as such, and

  that the storage tank of the gas under pressure.

  More specifically, the installation of the invention provides that the tank may comprise a substantially cylindrical circular portion closed at each end by a cap, for example elliptical or hemispherical, the installation being characterized in that the aforementioned tank is received in the casing with its cylinder axis directed substantially vertically, the positioning means of the tank on the casing comprising a ring fixed rigidly around said cylindrical portion of the tank and resting on a cooperating surface formed towards the upper edge of the walls;

look of the casing.

  The invention will appear more clearly from the -

  following description made with reference to the drawings

  Annexes in which Figure 1 shows schematically in side view of the installation of the invention and Figure 2 illustrates in top view only the equipment flange of which the tank of the invention is provided. As illustrated, the installation comprises a tank 1 for storing pressurized gas, such as propane, partially housed and semi-aerially in a

  casing 2 receiving, partly buried. -

  In the embodiment chosen, the tank 1 which meets the standards in force comprises a circular cylindrical portion 10 closed at each end by a cap

  11,21 hemispherical or elliptical.

  In this case, the receiving casing 2 is in the form of a cylindrical annular concrete nozzle with a substantially vertical axis and a slight diameter.

  greater than that of the cylinder cylinder.

  As illustrated, the casing 2 can protrude from the ground 20 at its upper part over a height H 'reduced compared to the depth H burial. We could

  for example, to provide a ratio of 1 to 6.

  The advantage of this protruding edge on the ground will be to avoid possible shocks of tools such as bèches,

mowers ... against the tank.

  In practice, the housing of the tank 1 is such that it is received with a certain clearance between the walls 12 of the casing, inside which it is suspended over most of its height, with its axis 10a of cylinder arranged substantially vertically, by means of a ring 3, which may be fixed, for example by welding, to the cylindrical portion of the tank, near the junction cylinder 10 / upper cap 1 1. Thus, - in position for example in a garden, the installation of the invention can be arranged in such a way that the tank 1 has only the upper cap 11, which can then be

  easily concealed, for example by shrubs.

  Returning to the figure, we see that the ring 3 comes to rest on a bearing surface 22 disposed opposite

  on the inner periphery of the walls 12 of the casing.

  This bearing surface may in particular be provided at the level of the edge edge 12a of the walls and be in the form of a countersink.with seal range allowing positioning of the crown on a seal 13

such as a bituminous seal.

  The prediction of this joint will avoid both any risk of accumulation of gas at 32, under the tank, in case of possible gas leaks, and any consequent flooding problem, for example, water runoff to this

same bottom 32 of the casing.

  The problem of upwellings from the

  soil and that could lead to the bottom of the casing has also been resolved. Indeed, it has been provided for this purpose mooring the tank to the tankLage by two cables 14 or metaLLic turnbuckles anchored on the one hand to the walls 12 of the casing and on the other hand to the tank, for example at the level of auricles. 15 of which the latter can be provided. As it is understood, it will thus prevent inadvertent movement of the tank which could cause

  its damage or that of the installation.

  It should also be noted that the problems of sealing on a slab that might have arisen will be

this fact, without object.

  The installation of the invention that we are in

  describing is easy maintenance.

  Indeed, if an intervention on the tank requires its removal from the casing, simply remove the

  mooring cables and lift the tank.

  It is for this purpose and in order to facilitate the handling operations, that are planned both

15 lifting ears.

  In a general way and as it is understood, these ears will be fixed to the part of the tank which makes

protruding in the casing.

  In the embodiment chosen, the lugs are welded to the outer wall of the upper cap 11. Again in this spirit of protection of the tank, an outer bearing skirt 16 may be provided towards the central part of the lower cap 21 Such a skirt may be useful in particular during storage before use of the tank or during an intervention without casing, allowing a standing position of the tank. The skirt will then be in the form of an annular ring projecting from the cap 21 to which it may be welded. A ring 17 made of rubber or, more generally, of shock-absorbing elastic material forming a thick bead may also come to protect the tank externally by projecting slightly to the part

  cylindrical 10 around which it will be fixed.

  In practice, the number of rings and their distribution along the cylinder will depend on the dimensions of

tank.

  The usefulness of such rings will appear particularly during the setting up of the tank in the

casing, or at its removal.

  Externally, towards the top of the upper cap 11 are grouped the equipment which is provided with the tank to be used. This equipment which in itself does not constitute the object of the invention will not be described. It will be noted (FIG. 2) only that they comprise, in particular, the accessories for filling 23a, for withdrawing 23b, for determining the level of gas 23c, for emptying, for safety, etc. They are grouped together under a single protective cover 18 and may in particular come screw on a flange 19 equipment carrier (fig.1 and 2) on which

locks the hood 18.

  Preferably, the flange 19 will be circular cylindrical and will be fixed in particular welded, on the upper cap 11 (in which a suitable orifice has been formed), with its cylinder axis substantially coincides with that 10a of the tank (fig.1), and this by any known conventional automatic process. Possibly one could consider fixing the flange away from

the aforementioned axis 10a.

  In any case, it should be noted that in this way the installation of the equipment on the tank is simplified considerably while at the same time improving the reliability of the installation. Indeed, it is understood that it is easier technically to mount a circular section flange on a cap (such as 11), here substantially hemispherical, to mount the flange at the cylindrical portion 10 of the vessel, as c is usually the case for conventional tanks,

  including aerial, installed horizontally.

  In the invention, two types of fixing of the flange to the tank have been more particularly retained. Or a fixed flange, welded to the upper cap 11 and mounted substantially centered on the axis 10a of the vessel; or a removable flange fixed by studs, with a seal, on an annular cylindrical ring 19 'welded to the same cap 11, preferably being centered in the aforementioned axis 10a of the tank. It should be noted that the second solution facilitates the internal visit of the tank. Indeed, flange removed, 'then it has a visit orifice of suitable size (can include a flange with a diameter of about 300 mm for a tank having a payload of about 700 to 800 kg, with a diameter of the order of 1200 mm and a height of about 2040 mm). Note that in the case of propane tanks, a visit port

  is not imposed by the French regulations in force.

  However, its forecast may prove useful in particular for

  cleaning and drying the tank.

  In addition with the second solution avoids any risk of deformation of the accessory threads 23a, 23b, 23c ... that can occur when the flange is welded directly to the cap. By the same token, it greatly limits the risk of leakage always to be feared. Finally, in case of fault on a thread, it is understood that it is easier to remove the flange to change, without having to

cut out the cap.

  In general, it is clear that with such an arrangement, the maintenance and filling operations are greatly facilitated compared to underground tanks whose accessories are placed underground, usually in the bottom of a planned well In this

effect.

  Of course the installation of the invention is not limited strictly to the embodiment that comes

to describe.

  One could for example consider a tank of the same shape as that which has just been presented but that one would come to lodge in the casing with its cylinder axis spaced from the vertical, for example oriented substantially horizontally. The construction of the casing would then be adapted to the retained position of the tank. It will be understood that, in the latter case, we will no longer speak of upper and lower tanks 11 but simply

  two caps or curved bottoms stamped.

  It will be the same for the location of the equipment and hoisting rings of which the tank is provided and which, whatever the chosen disposition of the latter, will have to be arranged on the part of the

tank that will protrude to the casing.

  Other means of positioning the vessel relative to the casing could also be retained. The tank could, for example, come to rest on support feet (not shown) extending towards the bottom of the casing. In this case, the crown 3 may no longer be indispensable. On the other hand, joint 13 would retain all its usefulness. Finally other forms of tank (and therefore by the same possibly of casing) could be suitable. A spherical tank would be conceivable. Similarly, the shape of the caps, or curved bottoms embossed, will, in practice, adapted to the standards in force and may not be then

  necessarily hemispherical or elliptical.

Claims (13)

  1. A method for installing a pressurized gas storage tank such as propane, characterized in that for the purpose of installing said tank (1) in a semi-aerial manner: - a casing (2) is constructed which may receive it, with a certain clearance, on at least part of its height, said casing being constructed so as to be open at least at its upper part and partly buried, - it is housed, on only part of its height, the tank (1) in the casing (2) by providing means (3, 13, 17) for positioning and holding the tank, avoiding any direct contact between this tank and the casing, - it ensures a seal of the installation by means of a seal (13) disposed between the tank and the casing at the upper part thereof, and - it is perfect the maintenance of the tank by a mooring to the casing.   2. Storage tank installation of pressurized gas such as propane characterized in that, so as to build a semi-aerial installation, the latter comprises: - a casing (2) buried at least on most of its height, open at its upper part and inside which is received, with a certain clearance, said tank (1), which overflows to a reduced height relative to the receiving depth in the casing, the upper part of which last, - means (3,17) for positioning the tank on the casing, - means (13) sealing between the same tank and the same casing, these means being provided to the part upper casing.   3. Installation according to claim 2 characterized in that it also comprises means   (14) Mooring the tank to the casing.   4. Installation according to claim 2 or claim 3 characterized in that the upper part of the walls (12) of the casing is lifted to the ground (20), a height H 'reduced compared to the burial depth H. 5. Installation according to claim 3 or claim 4 characterized in that said means for docking the tub casing comprise at least one cable (13) or equivalent attached firstly to the tank (1) and   on the other hand to a wall (12) of the casing.   6. Installation according to any of the   Claims 2 to 5, in which the vessel (1) comprises a   portion (10) substantially cylindrical circular closed at each end by a cap (11,21), characterized in that said tank is received in the casing (2) with its axis (10a) cylinder directed substantially vertically, said means positioning the tank on the casing comprising a ring (3) which is fixed rigidly around said circular cylindrical portion (10) of the tank and which bears on a cooperating surface (22) formed towards the upper rim (12a) of the walls facing the casing. 7. Installation according to claim 6 characterized in that the tank is provided with ears (15) of   lifting fixed on its upper cap (11).   8. Installation according to claim 6 or claim 7 characterized in that it comprises a flange (19) equipment carrier (23a, 23b, 23c ...) substantially circular cylindrical and mounted externally sealingly on the upper cap (11) of the tank, a cover (18) lockable on said flange   cover and protect said equipment.   9. Installation according to any of the   Claims 6 to 8 characterized in that a skirt (16)   allowing the standing position of the tank is fixed externally towards the central part of the cap   lower (21) of this same tank.   10. Storage tank for pressurized gas such as propane characterized in that to be installed semi-aerially in a casing (2) 1 1 reception open at its upper part and at least partially buried, said tank (1) comprises positioning means (3) relative to the casing, said means being arranged such that the tank is not   received in the casing only over part of its height.   11. Tank according to claim 10 characterized in that it is provided with lifting lugs (15) which are fixed at its portion which extends outside the   casing, when the latter receives the tank.   12. Tank according to claim 10 or claim 11 of the type comprising a portion (10) substantially circular cylindrical closed at each end by two caps (11,21) characterized in that it comprises a flange (19) carrying equipment ( 23a, 23b, 23c ...), substantially cylindrical circular and mounted externally sealingly on one of said caps of the tank, a cover (18) lockable on the flange (19)   covering said equipment.   13. Tank according to claim 12 characterized in that the flange (19) is removably mounted on a hoop   (19 ') fixed on the aforementioned cap of your tank.