GB1331753A - Storage containers - Google Patents

Abstract

1331753 Minimising explosions in containers TWEEDY OF BURNLEY Ltd 12 Sept 1970 43706/70 Heading A5A The risk of explosion damage in a storage container, e.g. a silo, is minimised by providing a lid 10 which is secured to the container by one or more nut and bolt connections 56, 58 adapted, under the action of a predetermined small internal pressure rise, to break and release the lid so that it is removable, and which has an area relative to the container capacity large enough to dissipate the increased pressure without damage. Fig. 2 shows the top of cylindrical silo 14 on which is mounted angle iron 16 whose horizontal flange 12 forms an annular outer lip to support disc lid 10. Lid 10 is internally strengthened by angle iron 18 whose vertical flange 20 is adjacent to the inner face of 14. Bolts 56 passing through lip 12, sealing gasket 22 and lid 10, and retained by.nuts 58, fasten 10 to 14 and are formed with reduced neck portion 60 so as to fracture under a predetermined load. At other positions round the top edge of 14 are mounted brackets 24, Fig. 3, and guide plates 32 which form support for upwardly projecting guide rods 30. At still other positions are mountings 36, Fig. 4, for restraining wires 38, consisting of upper eye bolt 44 secured to flange 42 of lid bracket 40 and lower eye bolt 48 secured to bracket 50 on the outside of cylinder 14. Wire 38 extending between eyes 46, 52 is of sufficient length to allow the lid and container to move clear apart (e.g. 2¢ ft). When explosion is incipient bolts 56 fracture, e.g. at 1 p.s.i. increased internal pressure, and release lid 10 which slides up rods 30 until restrained by wires 38. By this time the explosion is dissipated, lid 10 drops back into place, and new bolts can be fitted. Lid 10 may have hinged or bolted inspection cover 62 (Fig. 1) which can act as initial relief valve, and may be strengthened by crossmembers 66. Weather shield 70 may cover lid 10, retained by nut and bolt connections 56, 58. Instead of breakable bolts 56 there may be used ordinary bolts plus nuts of reduced internal thread.