GB2104646A

GB2104646A - Gas holders

Info

Publication number: GB2104646A
Application number: GB08125890A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norolf Henriksen
Original assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
Current assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
Priority date: 1981-08-25
Filing date: 1981-08-25
Publication date: 1983-03-09

Abstract

A gasholder having a dome supported for vertical movement in a liquid basin includes a simple guiding device for the dome which comprises a stationary mast (4) and a coaxial pipe (5) slidably mounted thereon, the pipe being attached to the dome (1). A central location of a single mast (4) or a symmetrical distribution of a plurality of masts (4) provides a stable guidance system. Both ends of the pipe (5) are open to permit gas escape when its lower end is above the liquid level. Non-metallic guide shoes (10) are mounted on the pipe (5). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Gasholder device The invention relates to gasholders and particularly to a guiding device for a gasdome supported for vertical movement in a liquid basin to store a variable amount of gas therein.

Many known gasholder constructions of the above type are based upon the following principle: the gasdome is provided with casters fixed on the outer shell of the dome which run along vertical pillars located externally of the liquid (normally water) basin. The pillars have essentially U-formed cross-section with inwardly extended flanges providing guiding channels for the casters so that the vertical movement of the dome, as the result of the changes in the volume of stored gas, is secured.

In another known construction the inner wall of a water basin is provided with helical formed guiding tracks. Casters or sliding shoes are fixed to the dome and fit these tracks. The gasdome will in this case rotate around its own vertical axis during its vertical movement.

A common drawback for these known constructions is the very narrow tolerances that are required in order to achieve an uniform load distribution on all steering casters. Uneven load, increased friction during the movement because of the deformation etc., results in danger of jamming of the dome which represents safety risk.

Further, there is a danger of sparking between metallic parts of the equipment under the movement of the gasdome, with the consequent fire risk.

According to the present invention, in a gasholder of the above type, a guiding device is provided for confining the movement of the dome to a predetermined path, which device comprises a stationary mast and a coaxial pipe slidably mounted thereon, the pipe being attached to the dome and thereby constraining said movement to a path defined by the mast. Preferably, the pipe is of larger diameter than and encircles the mast.

In normal use, the guiding device in a gasholder according to the invention is in contact with the stored gas, or the atmosphere, but not normally both. This reduces the fire risk. In the preferred embodiment, the pipe provides an escape passage for stored gas when the dome is filled beyond its design level, and gas escaping by this means can be controlled, providing an additional safety factor.

The guiding device also reduces the danger of jamming of the dome, further inhibiting malfunction, and reduces manufacturing costs by simplifying the construction of the equipment.

The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 (a and b) shows schematic crosssectional views of the gasholder provided with the guiding device according to the invention in normal use (a) and overloaded with gas (b); and Figure 2 shows a horizontal cross-section of the guiding device along the line I-I in Figure 1 (a); Figure 1 (a) shows a gasholder according to the invention under normal operating conditions in connection with charging and discharging of gas.

The gasdome 1 floats on water 2 in a basin 3 and moves vertically according to the changes in volume of stored gas 7. The telescopic guiding device comprises a mast fastened to the basin bottom and a coaxial pipe 5 of larger diameter than and encircling the mast. The pipe 5 is an integrated part of the gasdome 1 and in cooperation with the mast 4 provides guiding means for the gasdome under its vertical movement. Gliders or guiding shoes 10 are attached to the telescopic pipe 5 at two different levels and secure a direction stable movement of the gasdome along the mast 4 even in the extreme upper position of the gasdome. A conduit 6 for charging/discharging gas to and from the dome in a conventional manner is located under the gasdome 1 as shown.

Figure 1 (b) shows the same gasholder, but this time overloaded with gas. The lower part 8 of the pipe 5 is lifted from the water 2 and the gas 7 is free to enter the pipe and be released from its upper part 9 either freely to the environment or to a collecting device (not shown). The release of the gas of course allows the dome to fall again and the entrance to the pipe 5 is closed automatically when the lower pipe part 8 is again submerged as the result of the surplus gas discharge.

Figure 2 shows in more detail the horizontal cross-section of the guiding device comprising the mast 4, the telescopic pipe 5 and in this case threw guiding shoes 10 attached to the pipe and symmetrically distributed around the cylindrical space 11 formed between the mast and the pipe.

The guiding shoes 10 are preferably made of a non-metallic material, preferably a hard plastics material in order to eliminate spark formation during the movement of the dome. Typically, the shoes 10 are friction fastened to the pipe by means of plates 12 welded to the pipe as shown or fastened by any other suitable means.

The construction of the gasholder according to the present invention is characterised by its simple design. Both the water basin and the dome mantle can be manufactured without special demands to the tolerances or surface finish. There is a minimal friction in the guiding device between the mast and the pipe so that the risk of dome jamming is substantially reduced or eliminated. The use of non-metallic guiding shoes secures a spark proof performance of the equipment which is of utmost importance when the stored gas is of an explosive nature.

In other embodiments of the invention, a plurality of masts can be used for large gasdomes, or several domes can be located in the same basin. Further, according to the present invention it is possible to locate a gasdome in naturally occurring water reservoirs; e.g., lakes, without special water basins being necessary.

1. A gasholder having a dome supported for

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Gasholder device The invention relates to gasholders and particularly to a guiding device for a gasdome supported for vertical movement in a liquid basin to store a variable amount of gas therein. Many known gasholder constructions of the above type are based upon the following principle: the gasdome is provided with casters fixed on the outer shell of the dome which run along vertical pillars located externally of the liquid (normally water) basin. The pillars have essentially U-formed cross-section with inwardly extended flanges providing guiding channels for the casters so that the vertical movement of the dome, as the result of the changes in the volume of stored gas, is secured. In another known construction the inner wall of a water basin is provided with helical formed guiding tracks. Casters or sliding shoes are fixed to the dome and fit these tracks. The gasdome will in this case rotate around its own vertical axis during its vertical movement. A common drawback for these known constructions is the very narrow tolerances that are required in order to achieve an uniform load distribution on all steering casters. Uneven load, increased friction during the movement because of the deformation etc., results in danger of jamming of the dome which represents safety risk. Further, there is a danger of sparking between metallic parts of the equipment under the movement of the gasdome, with the consequent fire risk. According to the present invention, in a gasholder of the above type, a guiding device is provided for confining the movement of the dome to a predetermined path, which device comprises a stationary mast and a coaxial pipe slidably mounted thereon, the pipe being attached to the dome and thereby constraining said movement to a path defined by the mast. Preferably, the pipe is of larger diameter than and encircles the mast. In normal use, the guiding device in a gasholder according to the invention is in contact with the stored gas, or the atmosphere, but not normally both. This reduces the fire risk. In the preferred embodiment, the pipe provides an escape passage for stored gas when the dome is filled beyond its design level, and gas escaping by this means can be controlled, providing an additional safety factor. The guiding device also reduces the danger of jamming of the dome, further inhibiting malfunction, and reduces manufacturing costs by simplifying the construction of the equipment. The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 (a and b) shows schematic crosssectional views of the gasholder provided with the guiding device according to the invention in normal use (a) and overloaded with gas (b); and Figure 2 shows a horizontal cross-section of the guiding device along the line I-I in Figure 1 (a); Figure 1 (a) shows a gasholder according to the invention under normal operating conditions in connection with charging and discharging of gas. The gasdome 1 floats on water 2 in a basin 3 and moves vertically according to the changes in volume of stored gas 7. The telescopic guiding device comprises a mast fastened to the basin bottom and a coaxial pipe 5 of larger diameter than and encircling the mast. The pipe 5 is an integrated part of the gasdome 1 and in cooperation with the mast 4 provides guiding means for the gasdome under its vertical movement. Gliders or guiding shoes 10 are attached to the telescopic pipe 5 at two different levels and secure a direction stable movement of the gasdome along the mast 4 even in the extreme upper position of the gasdome. A conduit 6 for charging/discharging gas to and from the dome in a conventional manner is located under the gasdome 1 as shown. Figure 1 (b) shows the same gasholder, but this time overloaded with gas. The lower part 8 of the pipe 5 is lifted from the water 2 and the gas 7 is free to enter the pipe and be released from its upper part 9 either freely to the environment or to a collecting device (not shown). The release of the gas of course allows the dome to fall again and the entrance to the pipe 5 is closed automatically when the lower pipe part 8 is again submerged as the result of the surplus gas discharge. Figure 2 shows in more detail the horizontal cross-section of the guiding device comprising the mast 4, the telescopic pipe 5 and in this case threw guiding shoes 10 attached to the pipe and symmetrically distributed around the cylindrical space 11 formed between the mast and the pipe. The guiding shoes 10 are preferably made of a non-metallic material, preferably a hard plastics material in order to eliminate spark formation during the movement of the dome. Typically, the shoes 10 are friction fastened to the pipe by means of plates 12 welded to the pipe as shown or fastened by any other suitable means. The construction of the gasholder according to the present invention is characterised by its simple design. Both the water basin and the dome mantle can be manufactured without special demands to the tolerances or surface finish. There is a minimal friction in the guiding device between the mast and the pipe so that the risk of dome jamming is substantially reduced or eliminated. The use of non-metallic guiding shoes secures a spark proof performance of the equipment which is of utmost importance when the stored gas is of an explosive nature. In other embodiments of the invention, a plurality of masts can be used for large gasdomes, or several domes can be located in the same basin. Further, according to the present invention it is possible to locate a gasdome in naturally occurring water reservoirs; e.g., lakes, without special water basins being necessary. CLAIMS

1. A gasholder having a dome supported for vertical movement in a liquid basin to store a variable amount of gas therein and a guiding device for confining such movement to a predetermined path, which device comprises a stationary mast and a coaxial pipe slidably mounted thereon, the pipe being attached to the dome and thereby constraining said movement to a path defined by the mast.

2. A gasholder according to Claim 1 wherein .the pipe is of longer diameter than and encircles the mast.

3. A gasholder according to Claim 2 wherein the ends of the pipe are open to permit escape of gas therethrough when the lower end thereof is above the level of liquid in a said basin.

4. A gasholder according to any preceding Claim wherein the pipe is slidably mounted on the mast by means of guide shoes therebetween.

5. A gasholder according to Claim 4 wherein the guide shoes are mounted on the pipe.

6. A gasholder according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the guide shoes are made from a nonmetallic material.

7. A gasholder according to any preceding Claim wherein the guiding device comprises a plurality of said masts, and a corresponding plurality of said pipes slidably mounted thereon.

8. A gasholder substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.