KR20110049872A - Device for storing a tank for cryogenic media - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for storing a standalone tank (2) for cryogenic medium, in particular LNG, in a vertical position of the vessel (1) or fixed installation (1). The apparatus comprises a support for a tank (2), which supports the tank via a thermal insulation layer (7) on a corresponding foundation (10) on the side of the vessel (1) or facility (1), the tank ( 2) and the horizontal relative motion between the base 10.

Description

A device for storing tanks for cryogenic media {DEVICE FOR STORING A TANK FOR CRYOGENIC MEDIA}

The invention is intended for the storage of stand-alone tanks, especially cylindrical tanks of cryogenic medium, in particular liquefied natural gas (LNG), in the vertical position of a vessel or fixed installation, for example in the case of offshore storage or processing stations. Relates to a device.

Tanks for cryogenic media, in particular liquefied gases, and means for storing the media, require special construction because in some cases significant thermal motion occurs when loading and unloading tanks. In particular, LNG has a lower temperature than liquefied petroleum gas, so special requirements are required (for example, ethylene has a filling temperature of -100 ° C).

Known cylindrical tanks may generally have the form of a circular cylinder, or may have the form of two circular cylinders joined together in parallel; The latter is also called a bi-lobe tank.

Stand-alone tanks are mechanically stable on their own without relying on ship structures or fixed installations.

Tanks for cryogenic media are typically installed in a horizontal position, ie in a horizontal longitudinal axis. The corresponding structure has developed to the perfect level and is generally reliable. However, horizontal installation has the disadvantage that the area of the vessel or fixed installation is inefficiently used. For the same volume, the tank in the vertical position can be installed in a small area.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a safe and simply configured device for storing a tank of cryogenic medium in a vertical position.

The object of the present invention is a device for storing a standalone tank of cryogenic medium, in particular LNG, in a vertical position of a vessel or a fixed facility, comprising a flat support in the tank, the support side of the tank or vessel Is achieved by means of a device which is supported on a thermally insulating layer located intermediate to the corresponding flat foundation of. Here, the bottom of the tank is spaced apart from the vessel or the facility to have a space in the middle, it is possible to horizontal relative movement sliding between the tank and the base along a flat interface in the insulating layer or the insulating layer.

Preferred embodiments are described in detail in the dependent claims.

The present invention is based on the idea of supporting a so-called vertical independent tank in a fluid and insulated state.

The fluid support of the tank with the possibility of horizontal relative movement between the tank and the structures and foundations fixed to the ship or facility is not forcibly attached relative to the structure to which the particular horizontal arrangement of the tank is fixed. The tank can move to the so-called side. This is slightly asymmetrically connected to the configuration of the tank if necessary due to the movement of the tank itself when installing the tank on the ship and also the thermal movement of the tank which cannot be excluded even when installing the tank in a fixed installation.

Since relative movement of the tank according to the invention is possible with respect to the foundation, mechanical tension and damage due to thermal movement of the tank can be suppressed. In particular, the relative motion of sliding allows for a particularly mechanically robust form since no moving parts are needed.

Horizontal sliding relative motion may be selectively or in combination along the insulating layer or the flat interface within the insulating layer. Movement along the flat interface of the thermal insulation layer can be effected, for example, by sliding on the surface of the insulation layer. Horizontal relative motion within the insulating layer can be effected, for example, via a partial insulating layer which slides cross each other; In other words, there are a plurality of heat insulation layers in the above-mentioned places, and can move while sliding relative to each other.

The space between the bottom of the tank and the vessel or facility has the advantage of in particular affecting the insulation of the tank. In addition, there is no need to continuously support the tank with a large area of insulating material.

For vertical tanks a particularly strong support is required because of the relatively high center of gravity.

The thermal insulation layer of the device according to the invention is preferably provided with a material which is resistant to pressure and has a shear strength, whereby the thermal insulation layer can occur in the case of relative movement, which is limited by the temperature difference as well as the load of the filled tank. It can endure frictional force. For this purpose, reinforcement wood, ie wood waterproofed with synthetic resin, is suitable.

The tank support may in particular be tightly connected with the tank itself or may be an integral part of the tank.

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, in particular the support has one or more bearing flanges which are spaced outwardly from the tank. It may be of particular importance here for the protrusions protruding from the outer surface of the tank.

Preferably a plurality of flanges spaced outwardly from one another can be arranged through the perimeter of the tank. More preferably, at least two, preferably three or four bearing flanges arranged outwardly in the order described are arranged.

In the preferred embodiment, the tank is located at a fixed base that surrounds the tank in a fluid manner with a bearing flange, in which case the tank is filled with fixed components on the side of the vessel or fixed installation from the cold air of the tank. In addition to the protection, it is carried out under the connection of a thermal insulation layer which allows horizontal relative movement between the bearing flange and the foundation necessary to enable thermal expansion and contraction of the tank relative to the foundation.

Preferably, the bearing flanges-in relation to the longitudinal axis of the tank-are arranged at the same height, each of which is supported on its foundation. Also important is an annular base surrounding the tank or a base spaced apart from each other. This embodiment is particularly simple in configuration.

A preferred configuration is that the aggregation of ring flanges running in the circumferential direction of the tank from a plurality of bearing flanges is connected to a separate base, particularly preferably an annular base running in the circumferential direction.

In another preferred embodiment, the support comprises a plurality of feet, the pedestal being arranged in the outer bottom area of the tank, and in the case of the support the pedestal having a ground area is provided for the vessel or facility. At the foundation on the side, it is supported by an insulating layer that allows horizontal relative movement between the tank and the foundation.

The pedestal may be fixed approximately to the bottom of the tank.

Another preferred configuration is to flatten the surface of the foundation.

In the case of the embodiment, the tank is located at a base fixed to the bottom of the tank in a fluid manner with a plurality of pedestals, in which case the cold air of the tank full of fixed components on the side of the vessel or fixed installation. In addition to protecting against, it is carried out under the connection of a thermal insulation layer that allows horizontal relative movement between the pedestal and the foundation necessary to enable thermal expansion and contraction of the tank relative to the foundation.

Preferably the bottom of the tank is flat, the pedestals all have the same height, and the ground area of the pedestal is flat and arranged so that all the pedestals lie flat.

The same height of all the pedestals in connection with the flat form of the bottom ensures that deformation of the tank due to thermal expansion and heat shrinkage of the pedestal in the longitudinal direction of the pedestal does not occur, in particular in the bottom region of the tank. In this preferred embodiment, the length change of the pedestal only results in even lifting or kneeling of the tank.

Preferably the bottom of the tank is provided with a reinforcement. Especially preferably, the reinforcement is self supporting.

In particular, the corresponding embodiment is not complicated and robust.

The preferred configuration is that the bottom reinforcement of the tank is in the form of a support grid and the pedestal may be arranged at the intersection of the support grids. The supporting grid of the floor can be implemented in particular light weight.

The support grid may have a support extending in the radial and tangential directions with respect to the center point and the center points. Multiple center points are possible, for example in the case of bi-lobe tanks (see above).

Preferably the device according to the invention comprises at least two guide elements which are spaced outwardly from the tank, which guide elements are arranged with one another on the bracket in the circumferential direction of the tank, each with an axial extension. And the axial extension extends through the same predetermined longitudinal axis for the entire guide member of the tank. The guide members each work with a guide fixed to the side of the vessel or facility. The guide members may each perform horizontal relative motion along an axial direction of the guide member; However, horizontal relative motion in the transverse direction with respect to the guide member is impossible.

By means of the above embodiment, the tank has a predetermined longitudinal axis of the tank which is fixed firmly in space, i.e. in relation to the fixed structure, so that the required relative movement between the tank and the foundation is not limited.

Outwardly spaced guide members, for example bolts, provide the tank with an extension of the guide member, i. do. This is usually the intermediate longitudinal axis of the tank, preferably the longitudinal axis, in which the connection of the inlet and outlet lines of the tank is located.

In the case of a cylindrical tank, the central longitudinal axis is generally chosen, which conditioned the radial direction of all guide members.

Also preferably the guide member acts together with the individual fixed guide member on the insulating layer.

The "working together" can be seen, for example, as a guide member in the form of a bolt is guided laterally by the backing of a fixed guide.

Preferably, the plurality of guide members of the first set are arranged at the same height with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tank. It is also preferred to provide a second set of guide members arranged at the upper end of the first set of guide members.

The guide members are preferably arranged in two sets or groups, respectively, at different heights of the tank, thereby ensuring additional safety against lateral tilting of the tank.

Preferably the individual sets have three or more guide members, which are arranged in the same bracket with respect to the circumference of the tank.

Also preferably, the first set of guide members of the set is arranged at the height of the support; The tank is supported through bearing flanges, ie bearing flange height, and the tank is supported at the bottom of the tank, ie bottom height.

If the tank is supported through the pedestal of the tank bottom, it is preferably to move the guide member vertically downward from the bottom of the tank and to work with the guide fixed to the base on which the tank is supported. Sufficient horizontal movement of the tank is provided as long as the bottom of the tank and the fixed foundations located below the bottom of the tank are connected to each other only via guides.

Preferably in this embodiment a bolt fixed to the bottom of the tank is inserted into the corresponding gap of the fixed base at the bottom of the tank along the longitudinal direction of the tank.

Also preferably in the case of a cylindrical tank, the guide member is spaced outward in the radial direction.

In some cases, the guide member itself cannot be restrained from being lifted from the base during external force action, for example when moving a vessel.

Thus, the device preferably has a lift lock, which can suppress the lifting of the tank from the base. In particular, the lifting of the support, the lifting of the bearing flange from the corresponding base and the lifting of the pedestal from the corresponding base should be suppressed.

In a preferred embodiment, the lifting fixing device comprises at least one console on the side of the vessel or facility, the console being arranged at the upper end of the support, securing the tank over the insulation layer, between the tank and the console. Allows horizontal relative movement of

If the bearing flange is used, the console is provided for fixing the bearing flange over the insulating layer. When the tank is supported through the pedestal, the lifting fixing device is installed to suppress the lifting of the pedestal from the base.

Individual features disclosed in the foregoing description and in the following detailed description of the invention may also exhibit essential features according to the invention in combinations other than the described combinations.

In particular, the present invention relates to the following two devices:

A device according to the invention for storing a standalone, cylindrical tank of cryogenic medium, in particular LNG, in a vertical position of a vessel or fixed installation, characterized by a bearing flange spaced outwardly from the tank, the bearing flange being the tank Arranged through the perimeter of, supported at the same height relative to the longitudinal axis of the tank and supported by a thermal insulation layer which allows horizontal relative movement between the bearing flange and the foundation at a corresponding foundation on the side of the ship or facility. It is characterized by.

A device according to the invention for storing a cryogenic medium, in particular LNG, in a standalone, cylindrical tank in a vertical position of a vessel or fixed installation, having a reinforcement at the bottom of a flat tank, and in the outer bottom region of the tank. Pedestals are arranged, the pedestals all having the same height, and the grounding areas of the pedestals are flat and all located on the same flat, the pedestals with the grounding areas being flat on the side of the ship or facility, respectively. It is characterized in that the foundation is supported through a heat insulating layer that allows horizontal relative movement between the pedestal and the foundation.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Examples. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vessel with a device according to the invention for the storage of two cylindrical tanks for liquefied gas or other cryogenic medium.
2 is a side view of one of the two vertical tanks of FIG. 1;
3 is a horizontal sectional view of the tank with respect to the top surface of the upper guide member according to FIG. 2.
4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the tank for the bearing flange upper end and the lower guide member according to FIG. 2.
5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the annular bearing flange including a view of the guide member and the lifting fixture.
6 is a horizontal partial cross-sectional view in the region of the top guide member.
7 is a horizontal partial cross-sectional view in the region of the lower guide member.
8 is a schematic side view of a cylindrical tank of liquefied gas or other cryogenic medium with an apparatus according to the invention.
9 is a perspective view of a support grid for the reinforcement of the tank bottom according to FIG. 8, arranged inside the bottom of the tank and connected to the bottom;

1 shows a cross section in the transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vessel 1. The figure shows two tanks 2 installed vertically for LNG. In the ship 1, this arrangement is arranged one after another along the longitudinal direction of the plurality of ships 1.

The tank (2) is cylindrical with a longitudinal axis (13), and is provided with a ring flange (4) which is annular and radially separated at the lower end of the tank.

The ring flange 4 supports each tank 2 on the base 10 which encloses each tank in an annular shape.

At the upper end of the ring flange, the console 8 is firmly fixed together with the vessel 1, which limits the spacing of the ring flange 4 from above and suppresses the lifting of the vertically arranged tank 2. .

Also shown at the upper end of the ring flange 4 are bolts 5 spaced apart from the outer surface of the tank. Six bolts 5 are used for each tank 2 and are arranged side by side along the perimeter with the same brackets about the longitudinal axis 13 respectively.

The bolt 5 is inserted into the guide member of the top guide device 3 (described in more detail below).

FIG. 2 shows one of the tanks of FIG. 1.

It can be seen that as a guide member of the upper guide device, a bolt 5 arranged in the upper outer region and a ring flange 4 arranged in the lower region are shown. Also shown is a console 8 that is tightly connected to the foundation.

Complementing the drawing according to FIG. 1, here the bolt 6 arranged at the height of the ring flange 4 is shown, which serves as a guide member of the lower guide device.

In total, six bolts 6 are arranged along the circumference of the cylindrical cylinder at the height of the ring flange 4 each having the same bracket spacing in the tank.

The tank shown in FIG. 2 uses two sets of guide members arranged one above the other.

FIG. 3 shows a horizontal cross section of the tank with respect to the top surface of the top guide member 5 according to FIG. 2.

The fictitious extension of the bolt 5 intersects at the longitudinal axis 13 of the tank 2.

The bolts 5 are inserted laterally on both sides of the backing 11 of the upper guide device 3 shown in FIG. 1. The backing 11 is composed of a heat insulating layer each made of reinforcement. Correspondingly, the bolt 5 can move past the backing 11 along the longitudinal extension. The backing 11 blocks the individual movement of the bolt 5 in the transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal extension.

FIG. 4 shows a horizontal cross section of the tank with respect to the upper end of the bearing flange 4 according to FIG. 2 with the guide member 6 of the lower guide device.

The bolts 6 serving as the guide member 6 of the lower guide device are arranged similarly to the upper guide member 5 in the state except the height.

The bolt 6 has a longitudinal extension, the imaginary extension of the longitudinal extension intersects at the longitudinal axis 13 of the tank 2. In addition, the bolt 6 of the lower guide device is inserted laterally through the backing 11, which likewise consists of reinforcement.

The bolt 6 is not inserted directly into the outer surface of the tank 2 but is partially embedded in an annular flange 4.

FIG. 5 shows a vertical cross section for the annular flange 4 and the lower guide member 6.

On the left side of FIG. 5 a vertical wall of the tank 2 is shown. The flange 4 is attached to the wall. The bolt 6 protrudes from the flange 4 as a guide member of the lower guide device.

The tank 2 is supported on the base 10 via a flange 4. Between the base 10 and the flange 4 is a support heat insulation layer 7 composed of reinforced wood.

It can be seen that a lifting fixture is shown at the upper end of the flange 4. The console 8 is firmly connected to the hull so as not to move. This console 8 restricts the upward movement of the flange 4 through the insulating layer 9 of the lifting fixture.

The console 8 is provided on the entire guide member 6 of the lower guide device along the circumference of the tank 2, respectively.

6 shows a horizontal section in the region of the top guide member 5.

The outer wall of the tank 2 bent along the figure is shown on the left side of FIG. 6. The bolt 5 is inserted into this outer wall as the guide member 5 of the upper guide apparatus. The guide 12 which is firmly fixed to the hull corresponds to the upper guide device. This limits the horizontal movement of the bolt 5 through the backing 11 composed of reinforcement.

FIG. 7 shows a horizontal partial section corresponding to FIG. 6 in the region of the lower guide member 6.

8 likewise shows a vertically arranged tank 2 for LNG.

This tank 2 is supported by the base 10 via the pedestal 21. The base 10 corresponds to the bottom of the Off-Shore-Lager in this embodiment.

The bottom 20 is typically formed flat. The pedestal 21 is arranged at the edge of the bottom 20 along the circumference of the tank 2 and supports the tank 2. The entire pedestal 21 is arranged in the same length.

Between the pedestal 21 and the base 10 is arranged a support insulation layer 7 composed of reinforced wood, respectively.

The pedestal 21 is tightly connected to the tank 2. If the tank expands due to temperature changes, the pedestal can slide in the thermal insulation layer 7.

Further, the bolts 6 are arranged as the top guide members 5 arranged in the same manner as described above.

A bolt 6 is arranged as the guide member 6 of the lower guide device at the lower end of the bottom 20 of the tank 2 along the longitudinal axis 13 of the vertical tank 13. The bolts 6 are typically arranged perpendicular to the bottom 20 and are inserted into the grooves of the base 10.

For this reason, the horizontal slip of the said tank 2 is suppressed. The pedestal 21 can still slide back and forth in the supporting thermal insulation layer 7 if there is a change in expansion of the tank 2 since only a corresponding bottom guide device is provided here.

9 shows a self supporting support grid 22 for the bottom reinforcement of the tank.

The support grid 22 is fixed inside the bottom of the tank.

Here, a number of supports are welded to each other in the radial direction 23 and the tangential direction 24 to form the support grid 22. Correspondingly, a plurality of intersection points are formed between the supports 23 and 24.

The pedestal at the bottom of the tank 2 is arranged at the bottom of the intersection of the supports 23, 24 of the support grid 22.

1: ship 2: vertical tank
3: top guide device 4: bearing flange
5: guide member of upper guide unit
6: guide member of lower guide unit
7: support insulation layer 8: console of lifting fixture
9: heat insulation layer of lifting fixing device 10: foundation part
11: Backing composed of insulation layer for guide device
12: fixed guide of guide device
13: central longitudinal axis of tank 20: bottom
21: base 22: support grid
23: support in radial direction 24: support in tangential direction

Claims (20)

Apparatus for storing a stand-alone tank 2 for cryogenic medium, in particular LNG, in the vertical position of the vessel 1 or fixed installation 1,
The apparatus has a flat support in the tank, which supports the tank in a thermal insulation layer intermediate to the corresponding flat foundation 10 on the side of the vessel 1 or facility 1, The bottom has a space in the middle, spaced apart from the vessel 1 or the facility 1, and the support is a horizontal counterpart that slides along a flat interface in the insulation layer or insulation layer between the tank 2 and the foundation 10. Apparatus for supporting the movement possible. The method of claim 1,
The support is characterized in that it has at least one bearing flange (4) spaced outwardly from the tank (2). The method of claim 2,
A device characterized in that it comprises a bearing flange (4) arranged outwardly from said tank (2) and arranged around said tank. The method of claim 3,
The bearing flange (4) is characterized in that it is arranged at the same height with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tank, each of which is supported on a corresponding foundation. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The tank (2) is characterized in that it is supported through a ring flange (4) surrounding the tank (2). The method of claim 1,
The support includes a plurality of pedestals 21, the pedestals arranged on the outer bottom 20 of the tank 2, the pedestals 21 having a ground area, respectively, the vessel 1 or the facility ( The device characterized in that it is supported by a thermal insulation layer (7) which enables horizontal relative movement between the tank (2) and the foundation (10) at the foundation (10) on the side of 1). The method of claim 6,
The bottom (20) of the tank (2) is flat, the pedestal (21) all have the same height, the ground area of the pedestal (21) is characterized in that the device is flat and all located in the same plane. The method according to claim 6 or 7,
The bottom (20) of the tank (2) is characterized in that it comprises a reinforcement (22). The method of claim 8,
And said reinforcement is self-supporting. The method according to claim 8 or 9,
The reinforcement of the bottom (20) of the tank (2) is formed of a support grid, wherein the pedestal (21) is arranged at the intersection of the supports (23, 24) of the grid. The method of claim 10,
The support grid (22) of the reinforcement comprises a support (23, 24) extending radially and tangentially with respect to the center point. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
And at least two guide members 5, 6 spaced outwardly from the tank 2, the guide members being arranged on the brackets in the circumferential direction of the tank 2, each having an axial extension. The axial extension extends through the same longitudinal axis 13 predetermined for the entire guide member of the tank 2, the guide member being fixed to the side of the vessel 1 or the plant 1, respectively. 12), wherein the guide suppresses horizontal relative movement of the guide member (5, 6) in the transverse direction and allows horizontal relative movement in the axial direction. The method of claim 12,
The device, characterized in that the guide member (5, 6) with the fixed guide (12) acts together with the thermal insulation layer (11). The method according to claim 12 or 13,
The first set of plural guide members (6) is characterized in that they are arranged at the same height with respect to the longitudinal axis (13) of the tank (2). The method of claim 14,
The second set of plurality of guide members (5) is characterized in that it is arranged at a distance from the upper end of the first set of plurality of guide members. The method according to claim 14 or 15,
Each said set comprises three or more guide members (5, 6), said guide members being arranged on each other in the same bracket. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16,
The first set of guide members (6) is characterized in that it is arranged at the height of the support. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17,
Said guide member (5, 6) of said cylindrical tank (2) is radially outwardly spaced apart. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18,
And a lifting fixing device (8, 9) for suppressing lifting of said tank from said base portion. The method of claim 19,
The lifting fixing device comprises one or more consoles 8 on the side of the vessel 1 or facility 1, which consoles are arranged at the upper end of the support and hold the tank on the insulating layer 9, the tank ( Device characterized in that it allows horizontal relative movement between 2) and console (8).

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