KR20180061398A - Storage tank containment system - Google Patents

Abstract

The high-capacity natural gas storage tank includes a tubular steel wall having a closed tubular cross-section interconnected at opposite ends with two different tubular steel walls, the interior of the tubular steel wall forming an inner fluid storage chamber. The storage tank also includes a bulkhead disposed in the inner fluid storage chamber across the middle segment of the tubular steel wall and a closing plate connected between the outer surfaces of the tubular steel walls that are successively interconnected to form a face of the storage tank do. The outer surface of the tubular steel wall and the inner surface of the closing plate form an auxiliary fluid storage chamber. The storage tank also includes an outer support structure extending between the closure plate and the outer surface of the tubular steel wall on a portion of the surfaces of the storage tank to provide a storage tank against dynamic loads from fluid in the inner fluid storage chamber Reinforce.

Description

Storage tank containment system

The embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to storage tanks, and more particularly to storage tanks for fluids including liquids and gases.

Industrial storage tanks used to contain fluids, such as liquids or compressed gases, are universal and important to industry. The storage tank may be used to temporarily or permanently store fluid at the site location, or may be used to transport fluid across land or sea. Many inventions related to the structural configuration of fluid storage tanks have been made over the years. One example of a non-conventional fluid storage tank having a hexahedral configuration is found in U.S. Patent No. 3,944,106 to Thomas Lamb, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

There is a continuing need for efficient storage and long-haul transport of fluids, such as LNC (liquefied natural gas), specifically for offshore transportation by oil tankers or transport vessels for large ocean transport. In an effort to transport fluids, such as LNG, more economically, the storage capacity or storage capacity of the aforementioned LNG carriers has increased significantly from about 26,000 cubic meters in 1965 to 200,000 cubic meters in 2005. Naturally, the length, beam, and draft of the above-mentioned large transport lines have also been increased to accommodate more cargo capacity. However, the ability to further increase the size of such large transports has substantial limitations.

[0002] Fluids, particularly liquids in the form of liquids, have been encountered in the storage and transportation of marine transports. The trend for large LNG carriers was to use large-sized tanks of the side-to-side membrane type and tanks of the insulation box supported type. As the volume of the tank carrying the fluid increases, the hydrostatic and hydrodynamic load on the tank containment wall increases significantly. Tanks of the membrane type and insulation type described above have the disadvantage of having to manage "swirling" movement of the liquid in the tank due to the natural movement of the transport through the sea. As a result, the effective storage capacity of the tank of the type described above is limited to more than 80% of the total capacity or less than 90% of the total capacity to prevent damage to the tank lining and insulation. The drawbacks and limitations of these tanks are expected to increase as the size of the transport increases.

The prior art US 3,944,106 tanks have been evaluated for the containment of LNG in large capacity cases, for example large LNG marine transport vessels for geometric hexahedral tanks of similar size. According to this, the tanks of U.S. Patent No. 3,944,106 were judged to exhibit stiffness using 1/3 of the wall thickness of the geometric hexahedron. The tanks of U.S. Patent No. 3,944,106 also significantly reduce the speed of the fluid, significantly reduce the energy delivered to the tank, and significantly reduce the force transferred to the tank by the fluid, resulting in a geometric cube tank The deformation of the tank was substantially reduced. However, it has also been determined that the tank according to the configuration of U.S. Patent No. 3,944,106 can be improved.

Additional hexahedral tank designs have been developed for LNG and CNG (compressed natural gas). Details of such tanks can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2008/0099489 and 2010/0258571, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Thus, it may be advantageous to design and manufacture storage tanks for efficiently storing and transporting large volumes of fluids, such as LNG, across land or sea. It may be more desirable to provide a storage tank that can be manufactured at a shipyard on a large LNG carrier. It is also advantageous to provide a modular tank design that facilitates design, manufacture, and use in the aforementioned fields.

An embodiment of a high capacity natural gas storage tank is disclosed herein.

In one aspect, the high-capacity natural gas storage tank is a tubular steel wall having opposite ends, having a closed tubular cross-section, having intermediate segments interconnected at each end and at two ends of two different tubular steel walls, A tubular steel wall in which the interconnected interior of the tubular steel wall forms an internal fluid storage chamber; A bulkhead located in the inner fluid storage chamber across the intermediate segment of the tubular steel wall; A closing plate connected between the outer surfaces of successive interconnected tubular walls to form a surface of the storage tank, the inner surface of the closing plate and the outer surface of the tubular wall defining an auxiliary fluid storage chamber On at least a portion of the surface of the storage tank configured to reinforce the storage tank against dynamic loading from the fluid in the inner fluid storage chamber, through the closing plate and onto the outer surface of the continuous interconnected tubular steel wall And an outer support structure extending therebetween.

In another embodiment, the high-capacity natural gas storage tank is a tubular steel wall having opposite ends each having a closed tubular cross-section and having an intermediate segment interconnected at each end and at each end of the other tubular steel wall, A tubular steel wall in which the interconnected interior of the steel wall forms an internal fluid storage chamber; A bulkhead ring web positioned within an inner fluid storage chamber across a middle segment of the tubular steel wall, each bulkhead ring web including an annular planar plate connected to an interior of one of the tubular steel walls, The head ring web forming an aperture that allows limited flow of fluid through the head ring web; An inner surface of the closing plate and an outer surface of the tubular steel at least partially enclose the auxiliary fluid storage < RTI ID = 0.0 > An outer support structure extending outwardly from the outer surface of the successively interconnected tubular steel wall outwardly from the outer surface of the closing plate on the lowermost surface of the storage tank and outwardly from the outer surface of the continuous interconnected tubular steel, And an outer support element forming a base for the storage tank configured to support the storage tank at an installation location within the reservoir.

These and other aspects will be described in further detail below. Other applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The description herein refers to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.
1 is a perspective view of a first example of a storage tank containment system having a storage tank and a storage tank support structure.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the storage tank containment system of Fig. 1, viewed from direction A of Fig. 1;
Figures 3A-3C are perspective views of the storage tank containment system of Figure 1 showing possible variations in the construction of the support structure.
4 is a rear partial perspective view of an example of a corner portion of the storage tank, viewed from the inner space of the storage tank;
Figure 5a is a rear partial perspective view of the exemplary corner portion of Figure 4 as viewed from the interior space of the storage tank.
Figures 5b and 5c are rear partial perspective views of an alternative example of a corner portion as seen from the interior space of the storage tank.
6A and 6B are cross-sectional views taken along line 6A-6A in FIG. 5A and line 6B-6B in FIG. 5B, respectively, illustrating an exemplary method for completing the coupling between the components of the corner portion .
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the storage tank compartment of FIG. 1, in which the storage tank shown in phantom is an example of a bulkhead located in the horizontal cylindrical wall of the storage tank and a gusset plate ). ≪ / RTI >
Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the storage tank compartment of Fig. 1 without showing the storage tank and the bulkhead as shown in Fig. 7;
Figure 9 is an incisional perspective view of the storage tank of Figure 1 taken along line 9-9, showing the internal space formed between the cylindrical walls.
Figs. 10A to 10C are perspective views of an example of a closure plate shown throughout the drawings for blocking the internal space shown in Fig. 9; Fig.
11 is a perspective view of a second example of a storage tank containment system having a storage tank and an alternative storage tank support structure.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the storage tank containment system of Fig. 11 viewed from the direction (B) of Fig. 11;
Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of the storage tank system of Figure 5, showing an alternative example of a bulkhead located in the horizontal cylindrical wall of the storage tank.
Figure 14 is an alternate, incisional perspective view of the storage tank containment system of Figure 11, showing the bulkhead located in the horizontal cylindrical wall of the storage tank.
Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the storage tank containment system in Fig. 11, showing an example of a corner reinforcement positioned at the lower corner of the storage tank. Fig.
Figure 16 is an alternate incisional perspective view of the storage tank containment system of Figure 11, showing an example of a corner reinforcement positioned at the lower corner of the storage tank.
Figure 17 is an alternate incisional perspective view of the storage tank containment system of Figure 11;
Figure 18 is an alternative partial cutaway perspective view of the storage tank system of Figure 11, showing a further example of a gusset plate located within the interior space of the storage tank.
19 is an alternative partial cutaway perspective view of the storage tank containment system of FIG. 11, showing an alternative example of a corner reinforcement and a gusset plate.
20 is a perspective view of a third example of a storage tank containment system showing a storage tank, an alternative storage tank support, and a closing plate structure.
Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the storage tank containment system of Fig. 20 viewed from the direction (C) of Fig. 20;
Figure 22 is a side view of the storage tank containment system of Figure 20;
Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the storage tank containment system of Fig. 20, shown in an installed position within the dock of the transport.
24 is a perspective view of a fourth example of a storage tank containment system showing a storage tank and a plate structure for closing the storage tank.
25 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the storage tank containment system of Fig. 24, including the storage tank support structure viewed from direction D of Fig. 24;
26 is a side view of the storage tank containment system in Fig.
Fig. 27 is an exploded perspective view of the storage tank containment system of Fig. 24 showing an alternative example of a bulkhead ring web positioned in a horizontal wall.

An example of a storage tank containment system 10 is shown in Figures 1-27. A first example of the storage tank containment system 10 is shown in Figs. 1 to 3, a first example of a storage tank containment system 10 includes a storage tank 12 representing a generally hexahedral configuration wherein the six geometric square surfaces are substantially orthogonal to each other . The storage tank 12 is preferably composed of twelve interconnected hollow walls or tubular walls (one exemplary cylindrical wall 14 is shown in FIG. 1). In the following examples, interconnected tubular walls are formed into a cylindrical shape and have a closed and substantially circular cross-section, but other hollow shapes or other tubular shapes are also possible.

The exemplary storage tank 12 includes four cylindrical walls 16 that are vertically oriented and spaced apart at an angle of approximately 90 degrees from each other and are disposed between the ends of the vertical wall 16 at the corner portion 20a And eight cylindrical walls 18 that are rigidly connected to the vertical wall and oriented horizontally. As shown, the eight horizontal cylindrical walls 18 have four lower cylindrical walls 18a disposed at the bottom of the storage tank 12 and four upper cylindrical walls 18a disposed at the top of the storage tank 12, (18b). In a preferred example, each vertical wall 16 and horizontal wall 18 may exhibit the same length with substantially the same cross-section and curvature.

The interconnected cylindrical hollow walls 14 form an internal fluid storage chamber 22 suitable for receiving materials, including fluids, such as LNG (liquefied natural gas), that are maintained at atmospheric pressure or above atmospheric pressure. Other fluids, e.g., gases, as known to those skilled in the art, may also be stored or received by the storage tank 12. It will be appreciated that while the storage tank 12 is described and illustrated as a hexahedron having a total of six faces with the same dimensions, it is to be understood that the storage tank 12 may take on a rectangle having a different geometry, such as a long horizontal dimension and a short vertical dimension. Other configurations and other configurations known to those skilled in the art may also be used.

Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary corner portion 20a viewed from the interior space 295 (best seen in Figure 9) of the storage tank 12 and Figure 5a is a cross- Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 20a. ≪ / RTI > In this example, the corner portion 20a is formed in each of the four vertical cylindrical walls 16 with respect to a total of eight corner portions 20a forming the eight corners of the exemplary hexahedral storage tank 12 And is disposed adjacent to the opposite end. In this example, the vertical cylindrical wall 16 is connected to two horizontal lower cylindrical walls 18a. The vertical cylindrical wall 16 extends along a substantially vertical longitudinal axis 24 and the two horizontal cylindrical walls 18a each have an axis 26 and 28 which are substantially orthogonal to the axis 24, Respectively. The axes 26 and 28 extend substantially at right angles to each other in a plane perpendicular to the axis 24 so that the horizontal cylindrical wall 18a is positioned in a substantially horizontal orientation.

The axes 24,26, and 28 intersect at a point (not shown) within the corner portion 20a. As generally shown, the vertical cylindrical wall 16 and the two horizontal cylindrical walls 18a extend along the axis of each of these walls, and at the connection 40 between the respective cylindrical walls, 32 and 34 at the distal ends 30, 32, and 34 to close the inner fluid storage chamber 22. The connection portion 40 is configured to close or separate the space or spacing between the distal ends of the vertical cylindrical wall 16 and the respective distal ends 30, 32, and 34 of the two horizontal cylindrical walls 18a, But other configurations of the connecting portion 40 are also possible.

5b, the vertical cylindrical wall 16 and the two horizontal cylindrical walls 18a are likewise connected at the connection 42 to the respective distal ends 30 , 32, and 34, respectively. It can be seen that the connection 42 in this example does not include the closure member 60. In another variation of the corner portion 20c shown in Figure 5c, the vertical cylindrical wall 16 and the distal ends 30, 32, and 34 of each of the two horizontal cylindrical walls 18a, End caps 30 at the closed connection 44 at portions of each distal end 30, 32, and 34, as generally shown. In this example, the end cap 50 is spherical in shape, but other shapes, other configurations, and other connections may be used to close and form fluid tight corners known to those skilled in the art.

In a variant not shown, the corners 20 may be rounded or spherical in shape to more closely match the appearance of the cylindrical wall for manufacturing and / or assembly purposes.

The basic structure of the storage tank 12 is preferably made of aluminum, but other materials such as nickel steel, high strength pressure grade steel, and other materials known to those skilled in the art may be used. It should also be understood that different shapes and orientations known to those skilled in the art, as well as different components than those described and illustrated above, may be used. In a preferred embodiment, during manufacture, the components of the storage tank 12 are rigidly and permanently joined together using a seam welding process in a predetermined manner to form a fluid-tight internal fluid storage chamber 22, . For example, the connections 40, 42, and / or 44 may be completed and sealed to form a fluid tight corner between the vertical cylindrical wall 16 and the horizontal cylindrical wall 18. The process of completing the connection as well as the construction of the finished connection may vary depending on one or more of the design considerations, strength considerations, manufacturing considerations, and / or other considerations. Examples of the aforementioned connecting portion and other connecting portions between the components of the storage tank 12 are described with reference to Figs. 6A and 6B.

Figure 6a is a cross-sectional view of the connection 40 in Figure 5a between the vertical wall 16 and the horizontal wall 18a. According to this example, the storage tank 12 is assembled prior to completing the connection 40, so that prior to completing the connection 40, the vertical wall 16 and the distal end of each of the horizontal walls 18a, There is a space or a gap between the first and second electrodes 30 and 32. As shown, the closure member 60 is sized and configured to substantially close the gap between each distal end 30 and 32. The closure member 60 extends along the connection 40 and the closure member 60 at the exemplary corner portion 20a is generally annular and has an open end < RTI ID = 0.0 > Shaped ring-shaped portion. However, the closure member 60 may exhibit other shapes, which may differ between alternative components and / or connections between the other components of the storage tank 12, depending on the application. Closure member 60 may have an advantageous application in which it is not possible, or cost effective, to manufacture and / or assemble components of storage tank 12 in accordance with tolerances permitting direct welding, Lt; / RTI > Additionally or alternatively, the closure member 60 may be included to effect a strengthening or reinforcement function at the connection 40. [

The respective distal ends 30 and 32 of the vertical wall 16 and the horizontal wall 18a are chamfered from both the inner side of the wall (towards the inner fluid storage chamber 22) and the outer side, Each of the ends 30 and 32 is formed with a pointed vertex, but the vertex may alternatively be round, for example. The proposed closure member 60 is shaped to have a rectangular cross section and its sharp point is oriented to face each point of the distal ends 56 and 58. In this configuration, four inwardly tapered grooves are formed.

Specifically, two grooves are formed for receiving the weld connecting the vertical wall 16 to the closure member 60 and two grooves for receiving the weld for connecting the closure member 60 to the horizontal wall 18a Grooves are formed. The cross section of the closure member 60 may be differently sized or shaped differently, for example, depending on the size of the gap to be closed. It will be appreciated that one or more of the distal ends 30 and 32 and the closure member 60 may be shaped and configured differently than specifically shown. For example, the opposite ends of the distal ends 30 and 32 and the closure member 60 may alternatively be rounded, for example, and the distal ends 30 and 32 and the closure member 60 may be formed only on the walls 16 and 18a Or the inner side surface of the base plate 110. [0031] As shown in FIG.

Figure 6b is a cross-sectional view of the connection 42 in Figure 5b between the vertical wall 16 and the horizontal wall 18a. According to the exemplary connection 42 shown in Figure 6b, the storage tank 12 is assembled prior to completing the connection 42 and the vertical wall 16 and the distal end of each of the horizontal walls 18a, (30 and 32) are substantially adjacent and can be continuously seam welded or otherwise mechanically joined together to complete the connection (42). The distal ends 30 and 32 of the vertical wall 16 and the horizontal wall 18a are chamfered from both the inner and outer sides of the wall so that the distal ends 30 and 32, Each has a pointed vertex. An inwardly tapering groove is defined by the opposing portion of the distal ends 30 and 32, which is sized and shaped to receive a weld joining the vertical wall 16 and the horizontal wall 18a. It will be appreciated that the distal ends 30 and 32 may be formed, for example, to be rounded as an alternative, and that a single groove may be formed which is open only to one of the outer or inner surfaces of the walls 16 and 18a.

Other configurations and other orientations of the connection formed by the intersection of the vertical cylindrical wall 16 and the horizontal cylindrical wall 18a in the corner portion known to those skilled in the art may also be used. In addition, it will be appreciated that the presented connections are only illustrative with reference to the corner portions, and that the described examples are in principle applicable to any other connection or seam between the components of the storage tank 12.

The disclosed storage tank containment system 10 is capable of efficiently and effectively loading loads from the storage tanks 12 as well as static and dynamic loads from the fluids received in the storage tanks 12, And / or inner structures that are configured to account for, and /

An exemplary outer support structure 100 that is connected to the outer surface of the storage tank 12 is shown in the first example with reference to Figs. 1-3, 7, and 8. Fig. The support structure 100 is generally positioned about the outside of the wall 14 to provide radial support and / or reinforcement for one or more portions of the storage tank 12, As well as the stresses caused by the bulk of the storage tank containment system 10 as a whole. The first exemplary support structure 100 includes a plurality of first braces 102 (e.g., 102a, 102b, 102c, etc.), a plurality of second braces 104 (i.e., 104a, 104b, 104c, etc.) And a plurality of third braces 106 (i.e., 106a, 106b, 106c, etc.). A base 150, which is further described below, is also used. It will be appreciated that certain elements of the support structure 100 and base 150 described and / or presented as separate connected components may be integrated, for example, and vice versa.

In the first example, each brace 102, 104, and 106 is a substantially planar member that extends outwardly from the storage tank 12 and is sized to limit proximate the selected outer portion of the storage tank 12 Is set and has an opening 108 (each opening 108 marked with respect to the brace 102a) to be molded. In the first example, the brace 102 and the brace 104 are vertically oriented and horizontally spaced and aligned at right angles to each other in parallel to the respective edges of the surface of the storage tank 12. The braces 106 are oriented horizontally and spaced vertically, and are likewise aligned parallel to the respective edges of the surface of the storage tank 12. Braces 102,104 and 106 define six sides of the storage tank 12 and define a radial support structure for the selected outer portion of the adjacent horizontal cylindrical wall 18 and vertical cylindrical wall 16. The braces 102,104, And is generally positioned and oriented to reinforce the outer portion.

For example, in the first example, the braces 102, 104, and 106 are interconnected to form a portion 120 of the support structure 100, And the reservoir tank 12 is restricted along the portion of the lower cylindrical wall 18a which faces the outside of the lower cylindrical wall 18a. It should also be noted that the components of the portion 120 of the illustrated support structure 100 may be located adjacent to additional portions of the storage tank 12 as well as the closing plate 300b or 300c, And can be molded.

Each portion 120 of the support structure 100 is adjacent to an outwardly facing portion of two parallel lower cylindrical walls 18a so as to substantially restrict a portion of the two opposite upright sides of the storage tank 12 And includes a vertically oriented brace 102. In the example shown, the brace 102 further defines the bottom surface of the storage tank 12. The brace 102 extends approximately perpendicularly to a predetermined point in the middle of two opposing upstanding surfaces of the storage tank 12. The braces 102 are spaced horizontally so that the outer brace 102c of the brace 102 extends radially from the vertically oriented cylindrical wall 16 not only upwardly along the vertically cylindrical wall 16 but also horizontally And extend adjacent to the circumferential portion of the directional cylindrical wall 18a.

The portion 120 also includes a vertical alignment brace 104 that is adjacent to the outwardly facing portion of the remaining two parallel lower cylindrical walls 18a so that the bottom surface of the storage tank 12, as well as the brace 102, But generally restricts some of the two opposing upright surfaces of the storage tank 12. The brace 104 also extends approximately perpendicularly to a predetermined point in the middle of two opposing upstanding surfaces of the storage tank 12. [ The braces 104 are spaced horizontally so that the outer brace 102c of the brace 104 extends radially from the vertical cylindrical wall 16 along the vertical cylindrical wall 16 upwardly as well as horizontally And extend adjacent to the circumferential portion of the directional cylindrical wall 18a.

In this example, the horizontal brace 106 can selectively and rigidly interconnect the brace 102 and the brace 104, including the portion 120, on each individual upright surface of the storage tank 12 . It will be appreciated that any of the braces 102, 104, and 106 may be provided in alternative numbers and / or configurations. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the brace 106d may be selectively configured to substantially limit the storage tank 12. The brace 106d is positioned to extend radially from the horizontal cylindrical wall 18a along four horizontal cylindrical walls 18a as well as adjacent to the circumferential portion of the vertically oriented cylindrical wall 16 connected thereto. Additionally, it will be appreciated that certain portions of the brace 106 interconnecting the brace 102 and the brace 104 are not included in this variation.

Additionally, the brace 102 and the central braces 102a and 104b of the brace 104 are configured to substantially limit the storage tank 12. As shown, the center braces 102a and 104b are positioned adjacent to four outwardly facing portions of eight parallel cylindrical walls 18a and 18b, and thus the bottom surface of the storage tank 12 The two opposing upright surfaces of the storage tank 12, and the upper surface of the storage tank 12. The central braces 102a and 104b intersect at the top and bottom surfaces of the storage tank 12 and define four of the support structures 100 that limit the outer portions of the four lower cylindrical walls 18a as previously described Thereby interconnecting the portions 120. FIG.

The concentration of braces 102, 104, and 106 toward the bottom half of the storage tank 12 is used to strengthen the containment of the storage tank 12 to the bottom of the storage tank 12 and to hydrostatic and other forces Is used. In the second example, a T-shaped plate 103 is selectively connected to the braces 102 and 104 perpendicular to the brace to form a T-shaped section for increasing the strength of the brace against buckling and other deformation . 2, it is also contemplated that the concentration of the braces may optionally be included, for example, in the base 150 at the center of the bottom surface of the storage tank 12.

Figures 3b and 3c illustrate alternative variations in the construction of the support structure 100 wherein the support structure 100 is shown in a storage area such as the pod 160 of the marine transport 162 (Not shown in FIG. 3C for clarity) to provide controlled lateral support and vertical support for the storage tank 12, and the storage tank 12 is also provided within this storage area, . For example, the outer surface or perimeter 110 of the braces 102, 104, and 106 facing each portion of the opening 108 that confines the surface of the storage tank 12 The plate 110 may be configured to be adjacent and / or coupled to the overhead wall 166 and / or upright wall 164 forming the pod 160.

Additionally or alternatively, a device for securing the containment system 10 and the storage tank 12 to the hold 160 can be located between the wall 164 of the hold 160 and the portion of the containment system 10 So as to inhibit movement of the containment system 10 relative to the pod 160 during an event, such as a rolling or pitching motion of the transport 162. For example, as shown, a chock 170 is positioned between the upright portion of the support structure 100 of the containment system 10 and the upright wall 164. In addition, in the example shown, the choke 172 is positioned between the upper portion of the support structure 100 and the overhead wall 166. The choke 172 may prevent the containment system 10 from floating and may represent a beneficial use at the time of the event, such as when the dock 160 overflows. Although choke 170 and choke 172 are shown and described, other devices known to those skilled in the art may be used.

In a preferred example, the first brace 102, the second brace 104, and the third brace 106 are made from aluminum plates, and each opening 108 is formed in the outer portion of the storage tank 12 The size is determined to match the shape, the brace being selectively positioned in the portion. It will be appreciated that other materials previously discussed with respect to wall 14 and other materials known to those skilled in the art may be used.

The storage tank containment system 10 includes a base 150 for supporting a support tank 12 on a solid support surface, e.g., a bottom 168 of a pail 160. In one example, the base 150 is formed by the vertical braces 102 and 104 as best seen in FIG. In this example, the perimeter 110 of the vertical braces 102 and 104 opposite each portion of the opening 108, which limits the bottom of the storage tank 12, 150 to form a substantially planar platform or surface to provide a flat footprint of the storage tank 12 adjacent the flat bottom 168 of the pail 160.

The base 150 may be partially or wholly formed of braces 102 and 104, as described above, or may be formed in an alternative structure, alone or in combination with the braces 102 and 104. The proposed base 150 is reinforced by a reinforcement skirt 152 that is oriented obliquely adjacent to the bottom surface of the storage tank 12. As shown in FIG. 3A, a plurality of rigidly connected reinforcement webs 154 may also be used.

The base 150, the skirt 152 and / or the web 154 may be configured to support the support structure 100 and / or the web 154, as previously described with reference to Figures 3b and 3c, Can be similarly formed. For example, the perimeter 110 of the vertical braces 102 and 104 forming the base 150 may be substantially parallel to the cross-section of the pail 160 between the upstanding wall 164 and the bottom 168, And is chamfered in the modification of Fig. 3C.

A device for supporting the containment system 10 and the storage tank 12 in the hold 160 may also be located between the base 150 and the bottom 168 of the cargo hold 160. For example, as shown, a chock 174 is placed between the base 150 and the bottom 168 of the containment system 10. Although a choke 174 is shown and described, other devices known to those skilled in the art may be used to support the containment system 10 within the pod 160. It will be appreciated that the variations described above are presented as non-limiting examples and that many other variations are possible in the components of base 150 and / or support structure 100, depending on the specific configuration of pail 160. [

The base 150 is secured to the neighboring support tank 12 structure in the manner described for the wall 14 and the braces 102, 104, and 106. The structure for forming the base 150 may be made of the same material as the brace described above, or may be made of other materials and other configurations known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 7 illustrates the features of the storage tank containment system 10 in the first example including the outer structure, internal structure, and other structures of the present invention described above with respect to the storage tank 12. The storage tank containment system 10 of Figure 7 includes a storage tank 12 having the aforementioned corner portion 20a formed in combination with a closure member 60 as shown in Figures 4, 5A, and 6A, . The support structure 100 and the base 150 are constructed in accordance with the description of Figs. 1 to 3, Fig. 7, and Fig. As shown, this example further includes an internal structure configured to store and manage fluid within the internal fluid storage chamber 22 and elsewhere.

7, the storage tank containment system 10 includes a bulkhead structure 200a, wherein the planar plate 204 forms an oval hole 206, A membrane inner portion 204b and a reinforcing outer periphery 204a that are configured to partially block the flow of the membrane. Inner space 295 is defined by a partially closed plate 300b and receives transverse gusset plates 502, 504, and 506 that are rigidly connected to wall 14 and located between the walls.

The exemplary storage tank 12 has dimensions of 150 feet or 50 meters (m) per geometric plane. In an application for storing LNG, the thickness of the aluminum plate forming the bottom horizontal cylindrical wall 18 may vary between approximately 2 and 5 inches, and the thickness of the aluminum plate < RTI ID = 0.0 > The thickness of the aluminum plate forming the vertical cylindrical wall 16 may vary between approximately 2 and 4 inches and the thickness of the aluminum plate forming the bottom corner portion 20 may vary between approximately 0.5 and 3 inches, The thickness of the plate may vary between approximately 3 and 6 inches, and the thickness of the aluminum plate forming the upper corner portion 20 may vary between approximately 1 and 3 inches. The aluminum forming the closure plate 300b may vary in thickness from about 2 to about 4 inches. The aluminum forming the closure member 60 may vary in thickness between approximately four and six inches at the bottom corner portion 20 and between three and four inches at the top corner portion 20. [

The thickness of the aluminum plate forming the above-described internal structure and reinforcement and the components of the support structure 100 may vary between approximately one and three inches. The support structure 100, such as a T-shaped plate 103 and a particular portion of the reinforcing outer perimeter 204a of the planar plate 204, may be formed of an aluminum plate having a thickness varying between approximately 3 and 6 inches.

The composition and configuration of the components of the exemplary outer support structure 100 may vary according to one or more design criteria, strength standard, manufacturing standard, and / or other criteria. For example, the outer support structure 100 described above may be configured to support both actual and dynamic loads, expected static loads and dynamic loads from fluids contained in the support tanks 12, and / or simulated static and dynamic loads As well as the load from the storage tank 12 itself may be changed or designed differently. Thus, it will be appreciated that variations in the number, placement, and orientation of the braces 102, 104, and 106 may be made. Similar constructions in terms of construction and material aspects of the base 150 known to those skilled in the art may be used. One example of a possible modification for the exemplary outer support structure 100 is used in the second example of the storage tank containment system 10 shown in Figs. 11-19.

11 and 12, the support structure 100 in the second example generally includes a first brace 102 (identified as 102m, 102n, and 102o in the second example), a second brace 104 (Identified as 104m, 104n, and 104o), and a third brace 106 (identified as 106m, 106n, and 106o). Also, a base 150 as outlined above is used. In the second example, each brace 102, 104, and 106 defines an inner opening 108 dimensioned to limit proximate the selected outer portion of the storage tank 12, to be.

In the second example, the brace 102 and the brace 104 are vertically oriented and horizontally spaced and aligned at right angles to each other in parallel to the respective edges of the surface of the storage tank 12. The braces 106 are oriented horizontally and spaced vertically, and are likewise aligned parallel to the respective edges of the surface of the storage tank 12. As in the first example, the braces 102, 104, and 106 form six sides of the storage tank 12, respectively, and the adjacent horizontal cylindrical walls 18 and vertical cylindrical walls 16 are selected Is generally positioned and oriented to provide radial support for the outer portion and to reinforce the outer portion.

In a second example, each brace 102, 104, and 106 is configured to substantially limit the storage tank 12. Two outer braces 102m and 102o of the brace 102 each extend radially from the vertically oriented cylindrical wall 16 along the vertical cylindrical wall 16 upwardly As well as adjacent to the circumferential portions of the connected horizontal cylindrical walls 18a and 18b. Likewise, two outer braces 104m and 104o of the brace 104 each extend radially from the vertically oriented cylindrical wall 16 along the vertically oriented cylindrical wall 16 as well as horizontally oriented cylindrical walls 18a and < RTI ID = 0.0 > 18b adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. Finally, the two outer braces 106m and 106o of the brace 106 each extend radially from the horizontal cylindrical wall 18 along the horizontally oriented cylindrical wall 18, as well as vertically connected cylindrical walls 16 In the circumferential direction.

The outer sides of the braces 102,104 and 106 have been described with respect to the single side of the support tank 12 for the sake of clarity, As will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, the outside of the braces 102, 104, and 106 may limit the four sides of the storage tank 12 to generally form a loop around the storage tank 12, It can be seen that the constituent parts are each positioned and oriented in principle similar to that described above in connection with a single plane.

The center braces 102n and 104n are positioned adjacent to four outwardly facing portions of eight parallel cylindrical walls 18a and 18b so that the bottom surface of the storage tank 12, , And the upper surface of the storage tank 12. As shown in Fig. The center braces 160n are positioned adjacent to the outwardly facing portions of the four vertical cylindrical walls 16 to substantially limit a total of four upstanding surfaces of the storage tank 12. [ The center braces 102n, 104n, and 106n may span the space 290 on the surface of the storage tank 12 that is created between the spaced cylindrical walls 14. However, the medial brace can also be positioned adjacent to the closing plate 300c and can be molded, as will be described in more detail below.

It will be appreciated that the braces 102, 104, and 106 located and described and shown may be rigidly interconnected at their respective intersections to form a reinforcing lattice structure around the storage tank 12. In one variation of the second exemplary embodiment of the exemplary outer support structure 100, not shown, at least one of the upper braces 106 may be formed by a gradual reduction of the hydrostatic force applied to the storage tank 12 by its contents Considering that the load bearing capability may be reduced. The supporting structure 100 comprising a plurality of horizontal alignment braces 106 may be positioned between the first brace 106 and the second brace 106. For example, the hydrostatic load on the inside of the wall 14 is greater near the base 150, The first brace 106 may be relatively stronger than the second brace 106 located farther from the base 150 than the first brace 106. [ However, it is also contemplated that, depending on the application, this gradual reduction of the hydrostatic force may be counteracted by the dynamic loading anticipated in the particular application.

As in the first example, the first brace 102, the second brace 104, and the third brace 106 of the second example are made of aluminum plates, and each opening 108 has a brace The shape of the outer portion of the storage tank 12 is determined to be equal to the shape of the outer portion of the storage tank 12. It will be appreciated that other materials previously discussed with respect to wall 14 and other materials known to those skilled in the art may be used.

The disclosed storage tank containment system 10 of the first and second examples can be used to store and manage fluids in the internal fluid storage chamber 22 or elsewhere as described below, And further reinforce the inner structure. The various internal structures and other features described below with reference to either or both of the first and second examples of the storage tank containment system 10 can be applied to the support structure 100 as well as to any combination thereof, May be used in further combinations with one or more features of the above-described example of FIG.

In a preferred example of a containment system 10 for storing a liquid, e.g., LNG, the storage tank 12 includes an internal fluid storage chamber 22, as shown in Figures 7, 13, 17, (200a, 200b, 200c, and / or 200d) that are positioned within and secured to the inner fluid storage chamber. The bulkhead structure 200 may include a plurality of horizontal cylindrical walls 18 as shown generally in the figures for interrupting or mitigating sluggling or dynamic movement of fluids contained within the inner fluid reservoir chamber 22, .

In one example, each bulkhead 200 is located at and is secured to a neighboring horizontal cylindrical wall 18 at a substantially midstream location. As previously described, the jarring movement of the liquid received in the wall 14 creates a corresponding dynamic load on the interior of the wall 14. The bulkhead structure 200 provides an internal structure for partially blocking the flow of liquid received in the horizontal cylindrical wall 18, which is the size of the dynamic load received by the end of the horizontal cylindrical wall 18 And reduces the degree of sluggishness. Additionally, it will be appreciated that some of the bulkhead structures 200, or some of the bulkhead structures, may be configured to perform the reinforcing function of the cylindrical cross-section of the wall 14.

7, an exemplary bulkhead structure 200a includes a substantially planar plate < RTI ID = 0.0 > 20a < / RTI & (204). In this example, the planar plate 204 forms a plurality of elliptical holes 206 disposed in an "x" pattern around the plate 204 to permit fluid communication at both sides of the plate 204.

The material of the outer perimeter 204a of the planar plate 204 may be relatively stiffer than the material of the inner portion 204b of the planar plate 204. [ In this configuration, the outer perimeter 204a of the planar plate 204 performs a reinforcing function with respect to the cylindrical cross-section of the wall 14, while the inner portion 204b acts as a membrane, By forming a hole 206, the flow of liquid contained in the horizontal wall 18 is partially blocked. Although the various materials of varying thicknesses may be used in the exemplary embodiment of the tank system 10 described above to accommodate the LNG, the thickness of the aluminum material forming the plate 204 is approximately the same at the outer perimeter 204a 4 to 5 inches, while the inner portion 204b may be approximately 1 to 2 inches thick. In this example, a plurality of cross members 208 (not shown) are provided to reinforce the inner portion 204b against a dynamic load that originates from the flow of liquid received in the horizontal wall 18 and is perpendicular to the planar plate 204. [ cross members may be further provided.

It should be appreciated that alternative constructions may be used for the planar plate 204, that more or fewer holes may be used, and that the holes 206 are suitable for specific contents or applications as is known to those skilled in the art It should be appreciated that any suitable polygonal profile or rounded profile may be provided. For example, the planar plate 204 may be configured to have a substantially uniform thickness. Additionally, in the exemplary bulkhead structure 200b shown in FIG. 13, each plate 204 has six rectangular holes 206 disposed in two rows of three holes 206 . In another example of the bulkhead structure 200c shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of polygonal holes 206 are disposed around the perimeter of the planar plate 204. In the example of the bulkhead structure 200d shown in Fig. 19, a plurality of polygonal holes 206 are uniformly arranged around the circumference of the planar plate 204. Fig.

Figs. 15 and 16 show examples of a horizontal incision section of the containment system 10, showing an example of a corner reinforcement 250 provided to reinforce the interior of the corner portion 20. Fig. 15, the corner reinforcement 250 located in the bottom corner portion 20 of the storage tank 12 includes a first plate 252, a second plate 254, and a third plate 256, (Extending downwardly from the first plate and the second plate and angularly below). The first plate 252, the second plate 254 and the third plate 256 span the respective portions of the corner portion 20 and the four bottom corners with the corner reinforcement 250 And is connected to the respective inner walls of the corner portion 20 within the inner fluid storage chamber 22, as best shown in FIG. It should be appreciated that some or all of the corner portions of the corner portion 20 may include the corner reinforcement 250, and that in some applications one or more of the corner reinforcements 250 may not be required.

In one example, the first edge 258 of the first plate, the first edge 260 of the second plate, and the first edge 262 of the third plate have a vertical cylindrical wall 16 and a horizontally- Is connected to the corner (20) along a neighboring connection (30) formed by the wall (18). The first plate 252, the second plate 254, and the third plate 256 are connected at the connection portion 264. In one example, the first plate 252, the second plate 254, and the third plate 256 are separated from each other by an angle of 120 degrees. It is to be understood that the corner reinforcement 250 may take other configurations, other plates, or other web forming portions to make it suitable for the specific application, as is known to those skilled in the art.

In this exemplary bulkhead structure 250, each of the first plate 252, the second plate 254, and the third plate 256 forms respective through holes 270, 272, and 274 Allowing fluid communication at both sides of the plate, so that portions of the internal fluid storage chamber 22 are not blocked unless otherwise compartmentalized. As shown in FIG. 15, the bulkhead structure 250 may be located in each upper corner portion 20 of the storage tank 12. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other configurations and other orientations of the bulkhead structure 250 may be used and that other reinforcements may be located in the corner portion 20.

Referring to Fig. 19, a modification of the corner reinforcement 440 is shown. In this example, the reinforcing portion 440 of the tank corner 20 is in the form of a plate 445 (which is surrounded by a plate material 445) to form an inner hole 450 Only half of the plate is shown). In this example, the plate 445 is at an angle of about 45 degrees, and on its end, or alternatively, with respect to the neighboring wall of the corner portion 20 and with respect to the adjacent vertical cylindrical wall 26 and the horizontally- Welded to the wall 18 around its entire circumference. The holes 450 serve to reduce the weight and provide resistance to the oscillation of the stored fluid as previously described.

Other configurations, other configurations, other orientations, and other locations of the corner reinforcement may be used to suit the specific application known to those skilled in the art. The material used to construct the storage tank 12 as described above may also be used to construct the bulkheads 200, 250, and 440. In one example, the proposed bulkheads 200, 250, and 440 are tightly and continuously seam welded to the storage tank 12.

It will be appreciated that the proposed corner enhancements 250 and 440 may or may not be necessary in certain applications. The embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 10 with the first specific example of the disclosed external support structure 100, for example, may not include the corner reinforcement, as can be seen from FIGS. 7 to 9 . In this and other examples, the reinforcing function of the proposed corner reinforcement portions 250 and 440, if desired, may be implemented by other aspects of the outer support structure 100 and / or the storage tank 12.

In the example of the storage tank 12 described and described above, the twelve cylindrical walls 16 and 18 are closed and sectioned to form the inner fluid storage chamber 22. In this example, openings 290 are formed in each of the six sides of the storage tank 12 to define an interior space 295 between the inner facing walls of the cylindrical portion. In the example of the storage tank containment system 10 shown throughout the figures, the openings 290 are sealingly closed and the inner space 295 is disposed in fluid communication with the inner fluid storage chamber 22 within the cylinder To utilize the internal space 295 for additional storage of fluid as described below.

9, the inner facing portion of the outer cylindrical walls 16 and 18a (e.g., the inner portion 310 of the vertically oriented cylindrical wall 16 and the inner portion 312 of the horizontally oriented cylindrical wall 18a) And the closing plate 300a are formed by the inner wall portions 310 and 312 of the cylindrical walls 16 and 18a forming the storage tank 12 and the ancillary plates 300a formed by the closing plate 300a It can be seen that it can be used to seal and confine the reservoir chamber 302.

A number of configurations of the closing plate 300a are shown throughout the figures, which is further described with reference to Figs. 10a-c. In the example shown in FIG. 10A, the closing plate 300a is planar and is configured to extend vertically between neighboring walls 14. 10B, the closing plate 300b may be spherical or rounded and may extend generally between adjacent walls 14, but may also be formed by connecting longitudinal axes of neighboring walls 14 And is located further toward the outside from the imaginary line. 10c, the closure plate 300c is also spherical or rounded, but extends between the adjacent walls 14 at the outer portion of the neighboring walls 14, 300c extend generally tangentially between adjacent walls 14. [

Through the corresponding use of the internal space 295 for use and storage of the closing plates 300a, 300b, or 300c, an increase in storage capacity is achieved. In one example of the storage tank 12 having the dimensions described above, the capacity storage efficiency of the tank system 10 is increased from about 0.81 to 0.88, which is much more than the conventional design It is excellent. In addition, when using the closing plates 300b, 300c connected to a position further outward from the center of the storage tank 12, the heat loss is reduced, i.e., the smaller one of the outer surfaces of the storage tank 12 , Curves and corners that may act as heat sinks.

The storage tank containment system 10 may be configured to include, for example, only one type of closing plate among the closing plates 300a, 300b, and 300c and may be configured to include a mixture of closing plates 300a, 300b, and 300c But may also be configured to include other closing plates not specifically shown, such as a triangular closing plate or an I-shaped closing plate. Closure plates 300a, 300b, and 300c may be made of the materials used for walls 16,18a as described above. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that different configurations and different orientations may be used for the closure plates 300a, 300b, and 300c to seal and confine the auxiliary storage chamber 302. [

9, the cylindrical walls 16 and 18a are formed in the same manner as in the above example in which the cylindrical wall 14 is closed and sectioned and the inner fluid storage chamber 22 serves only as a storage area, Have outer portions 320 and 322, e.g., an outer half or circumference of a circular cross-section facing towards the outside of the storage tank, and respective inner portions 310 and 312. As shown in Fig. 9, each of the first wall portion and the second wall portion may be defined by the position of the closing plate 300a, or may be disposed near the position of the closing plate.

9, the fluid received in the inner fluid reservoir chamber 22 exerts a radial hydrostatic force F 1 against the interior 310 of the vertical cylindrical wall 16 . The load bearing ability of the vertical cylindrical walls 310, 312 must be sufficient in view of the force F1. If the closure plate 300a is not employed and the secondary storage chamber 302 (or space 295) is not used for storage, the inner wall portion 310 will withstand loads similar to the outer wall portion 320 And require a substantially similar configuration. In the application of the aforementioned exemplary sized tank system 10 to accommodate LNG, the thickness of the aluminum walls 16 and 18 is expected to be 1 to 6 inches thick. In the case of steel, a thickness of 0.5 to 4 inches may be used. Other thicknesses known to those skilled in the art may be used, depending on the materials used and the application.

However, when the closing plate 300a (or the closing plate 300b, 300c) is employed and the auxiliary storage chamber 302 is used, if liquid is contained in the auxiliary storage chamber 302, the auxiliary storage chamber 302 A radial hydrostatic force F2 is generated on the opposing surface of the vertically oriented cylindrical wall portion 310. The radial hydrostatic force F2, Because the hydrostatic force F2 corresponds and balances the hydrostatic force Fl, the load-bearing capacity and corresponding thickness of the vertical cylindrical wall 16 and the horizontal cylindrical wall 18a are determined by the respective wall Portions 310 and 312, which reduces the mass and material cost of the storage tank 12. [0035]

In the example of the reservoir tank 12 that uses only the inner fluid reservoir chamber 22 within the cylindrical wall 14, one or more ports (not shown) outside the wall (not shown) that communicate with the inner fluid reservoir chamber 22 the port can be used to fill the fluid in the inner fluid reservoir chamber 22 or to draw fluid out of the inner fluid reservoir chamber. In order to provide fluid communication between the inner fluid storage chamber 22 and the auxiliary storage chamber 302 when the auxiliary storage chamber 302 is used with the inner fluid storage chamber 22, For example, on the wall portions 310 and / or 312, one or more ports (not shown) may be provided.

Referring to Figure 18, an example of a first gusset plate 400 (two shown) is presented. In this example, each gusset plate 400 is disposed between vertically adjacent horizontal tube walls 18 in the auxiliary storage chamber 302, and is rigidly connected to the horizontal tube wall. Each of the gusset plates 400 includes one or more apertures 410 (two of which are shown in cross-section) to delay fluid slacking in the auxiliary storage chamber 302 as generally referred to above for the bulkhead 200, To allow flow of fluid through the gusset plate 400. As shown in FIG. In one example, the gusset plate is a rigid, planar plate, but may take other forms and other configurations to suit the application as is known to those skilled in the art.

18, one or more second gusset plates 420 are disposed between the first gusset plate 400 and the horizontal cylindrical portion 18 as shown generally in the figures, Plate and horizontal cylindrical portion. In this example, the second gusset plate 420 is preferably provided with a plurality of similar apertures 425 to allow flow restriction of the fluid to retard fluid slack in the secondary storage chamber 302 . The first gusset plate 400 and the second gusset plate 420 both provide structural reinforcement and delay fluid slack in the secondary storage chamber 302. Other gussets known to those skilled in the art, reinforcing plates, and ratcheting delay structures may be used. For example, as can be seen in FIG. 19, the second gusset plate 420 is used without the first gusset plate 400. In this example, the second gusset plate 420 is rigidly connected to the four neighboring horizontal cylindrical walls 18 and extends between the generally vertically oriented second gusset plates 420 in a generally horizontal position And further includes a third gusset plate 430 as shown.

7 and 8, the gusset plates 502 and 504 may be disposed between vertically adjacent and parallel horizontal cylindrical walls 18 in the secondary storage chamber 302, The gusset plate 506 may be rigidly connected to the horizontally oriented cylindrical wall while the gusset plate 506 is disposed between and parallel to the horizontally adjacent vertical cylindrical walls 16 and rigidly connected to the vertically oriented cylindrical wall. Additionally, the gusset plates 502, 504, and 506 are connected at each intersection of these gusset plates. Each of the gusset plates 502, 504, and 506 extends in a plane passing through the center of the storage tank 12. The gusset plates 502 and 504 extend in a vertical direction parallel to the respective opposing sides of the storage tank 12 and extend at the intersection with each adjacent gusset plate as well as at the intersection with the wall 14 do. The gusset plate 506 extends horizontally parallel to the opposed upper and lower surfaces of the reservoir tank 12 and extends at an intersection with each adjacent gusset plate as well as at an intersection with the wall 14 It is disconnected. For clarity, only three of the eight gusset plates in total, 502, 504, and 506, are shown and described. It will be understood and appreciated that the other gusset plates are arranged and configured similar to the gusset plates 502, 504, and 506.

As shown, the gusset plates 502, 504, and 506 can be interconnected with the support structure 100 as well as being rigidly interconnected at the intersections of these gusset plates. As shown, the vertically disposed gusset plates 502 and 504 are each connected to the central vertical braces 104a and 102a, while the horizontally disposed gusset plates 506 are connected to the horizontal brace 106a . The gusset plates 502, 504, and 506 may fluid compartmentalize the secondary storage chamber 302 or may include one or more apertures (not shown in this example) for allowing fluid to flow .

13, 14, and 15, one example of a device for filling a reservoir tank 12 with fluid and extracting fluid from the reservoir tank is in the form of a charge tower 350. In this example, the charging tower 350 includes a substantially horizontal hollow tube 352 connected to a substantially vertical, hollow tube 354. The vertical tube 354 includes a suction port 356 that is disposed near or in the vicinity of the top of the storage tank 12. Suction port 356 is configured to be connected to a remote fluid source, such as a transfer pump (not shown) or other device known to those skilled in the art. The vertical tube 354 also includes an outlet port 357 disposed in the vicinity of the bottom of the storage tank 12. A horizontal hollow tube 352 can be connected to the vertical tube 354 at the location of the outlet port 357 to provide fluid communication between the suction port 356 and the inner fluid reservoir chamber 22, May be connected to one or more of the horizontal cylindrical walls 18 through a horizontal cylindrical wall as shown in FIG.

As best seen in Figure 13, the vertical hollow tube 354 is supported by a plurality of support brackets or support structures 358, which preferably allow fluid communication on either side of the support structure 358 . Vertical tube 354 and support structure 358 are positioned along a passage formed in a central portion of bulkhead structure 200b in a space between planar plates 204. [ The vertical tube 354 may include one or more additional ports (not shown) to provide fluid communication between the suction port 356 and the auxiliary storage chamber 302. Alternatively, a through port (not shown) may be used to penetrate the interior portion of the cylindrical wall 16b and / or 18b to facilitate the flow of fluid into and out of the storage tank 12.

The charging tower 350 may also be used to extract fluid from the inner fluid storage chamber 22 and the auxiliary storage chamber 302. To optimize the extraction, when the storage tank 12 is in the installed position, the outlet port 357 may be located close to the inner surface of the bottom closure plate 300b. Closure plate 300b may be shaped to exploit the influence of gravity upon fluid extraction from auxiliary storage chamber 302. [ The outlet port 357 is disposed at the lowest point of the auxiliary storage chamber 302 just above the point of refraction on the surface of the curved closing plate 300b so that all of the fluid in the reservoir tank 12 To be extracted from the auxiliary storage chamber 302 and to be extracted from the interconnected inner fluid storage chamber 22 again. It should be appreciated that other tubes, pipes, or ports may be used that allow rapid, high-volume fluid flow into and out of the storage tank 12 to facilitate filling and extraction of the fluid.

20 to 23, a third example of the storage tank containment system 10 is shown. 20 is a perspective view showing a pair of outer support structures 100 on two of the surfaces of the storage tank 12 and the storage tank 12. Fig. The outer support structure 100 extends between the outer surfaces of the cylindrical barriers 16 and 18 and reinforces the storage tank 12 against a dynamic load due to fluid in the inner fluid reservoir chamber 22. One of the outer support structures 100 in FIG. 20 is shown to include a plurality of interconnected braces 102, 106 forming a reinforcing grid structure.

The other outer support structure 100 in Figure 20 is shown as being covered by a generally planar closure plate 300a that extends at least partially across the outer surface of one of the outer support structures 100 have. Both outer support structures 100 in FIG. 20 may include a lattice structure of interconnected braces 102, 106 and may include at least a portion of the outer support structure 100 for closure And may be covered by the plate 300b.

The inner surface of the closure plate 300a, the inner surface of the outer support structure 100, and the outer surface of the plurality of cylindrical steel walls 16, 18, 302 < / RTI > The volume of the auxiliary storage chamber 302 can be greatly increased by locating the closing plate 300a on the outside with respect to the outer support structure 100 and on the outside with respect to the outer surface of the cylindrical barrels 16,18. The configuration of the charging tower 350 can also be simplified as described with reference to Fig.

The outer support structure 100 in FIG. 20 also includes a plurality of blocks 600. Some of the blocks 600 are disposed within the aperture 602 and each hole 602 is formed by four intersections of the rigidly interconnected braces 102 and 106 of each of the grating structures. The block 600 disposed within the opening 602 is configured to hold the storage tank 12 in an installed position adjacent to a bracket extending from the ship's pail as further described with reference to FIG. The block 600 may be formed of marine grade, laminated and densified wood, and may be adhesively bonded to the braces 102, 106 using, for example, epoxy. Other high strength materials may also be used for block 600.

Some of the blocks 600 are also disposed on the support surface 604 of the outer support structure 100 and the storage tanks 12 are provided with respective closure plates 300a The support surface 604 extends from the outer surface of one of the lowermost cylindrical steel walls 18, The support surface 604 and the combined block 600 are configured adjacent to a ledge that extends from the dock in the transport line to hold the storage tank in the installed position as further described with reference to Figure 23 .

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the bottom side of the storage tank containment system 10 of Fig. 20 when viewed in the direction C in Fig. Here, both of the outer support structures 100 are substantially covered by a closure plate 300a that extends across the outer surface of the outer support structure 100, as described in FIG. The storage tank 12 also includes a closing plate 300a extending between the plurality of bulkheads 200 and the outer surface of the bottom portion cylindrical barrel 18a wherein each bulkhead 200 is opposed Extends transversely to the inner fluid chamber 22 through the horizontal cylindrical barrel 18 and transversely to the longitudinal axis of the opposing horizontal barrel 18.

Each of the bulkheads 200 also extends outwardly from the outer surface of the opposing horizontal cylindrical steel wall 18 between the sections of the bottom closure plate 300a to provide a base 150 for the storage tank . The base (150) of the storage tank (12) is configured to support the storage tank (12) in an installed position within the dock of the transport. 21, the two bulkheads 200 extend centrally through opposing horizontal cylindrical steel walls 18 and intersect at the center of the lowermost surface of the storage tank 12 to define a base 150 But other shapes, other intersections, and a different number of bulkheads 200 are also possible. Also, a plurality of blocks 600 may be disposed along the base 150 to dispose the storage tanks 12 within the dock of the transport and to insulate the storage tanks.

22 is a side view of the storage tank containment system 10 of Fig. The two support surfaces 604 are shown extending from the outer surface of the opposite bottom cylindrical steel wall 18 to the respective closing plate 300a. By including the support surface 604 extending from the opposing cylindrical bar 18 the storage tank 12 can be restrained against the pitch or roll of the transport line when in the installed position. The support surface 604 extends over a horizontal plane extending through the longitudinal axis of the horizontal cylindrical steel wall 18 forming the lowest surface of the storage tank 12 when the storage tank 12 is in the installed position. Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 60 degrees. ≪ / RTI >

In one non-limiting example, the support surface 604 may be angled by 25 to 40 degrees above the horizontal plane to optimize support for the storage tank 12. For example, the angled support surface 604 can rest on a ledge extending from the hold as shown in FIG. 23, and at the same time allows the hold to expand and contract. By making the support surface 604 angular, any variation in construction tolerance or wall location of both the storage tank 12 and the dock will not adversely affect the ability of the storage tank 12 to be maintained in the installed position will be.

23 is an incisional perspective view of the storage tank containment system 10 of FIG. 20 shown as being in an installed position within the reservoir 160 of the marine transport vessel 162. FIG. The block 600 in the opening 602 defined by the interconnected braces 102 and 106 of the lateral lateral support structure 100 is formed by a bracket (not shown) extending from the upstanding wall 164 forming the face of the pail 160 606, respectively. The brackets 606 may be used to prevent movement of the storage tank 12 relative to the pail 160 in the event of a rolling or pitching motion of the transport 162, (600) within the block (602).

The additional block 600 may include a skirt or ledge 608 extending from the upstanding wall 164 of the pouch 160 and a lower portion of the opposing outer support structure 100 for seating on the bottom surface, From the support structure 604 and from the base 150. The ledge 608 may be configured to support the weight of the storage tank 12 within the transport line 162 when the storage tank 12 is in the installed position. Any change in the dimensions of the reservoir 160 can be taken into account in the design of the storage tank 12 by tilting the support surface 604 and optionally the block 600 extending from the support surface 604. [ This is important under the large size of the storage tank 12 and the dock 160 as well as the given temperature difference between the storage tank 12 and the transport line 162.

The single bulkhead 200 also includes a plurality of substantially planar plates 204 configured to span the cross section of the horizontal wall 18 forming part of the inner fluid reservoir chamber 22, Respectively. Each planar plate 204 forms a plurality of elliptical holes 206 disposed in an "x " -shaped pattern around the plate 204 to enable fluid communication at both sides of the plate 204. There is also a passage 610 in the central portion of the bulkhead 200 in the space between the planar plates 204. The passageway 610 is of sufficient size to allow the charging tower 350 to extend through the storage tank 12.

In the third example of FIG. 23, the closing plate 300a is shown to extend below the bottom minor horizontal cylindrical barrel 18 between the bottom minor horizontal cylindrical barbs 18. A plurality of vanes 612 extend along the inner surface of the closure plate 300a to relieve fluid sluggishness or dynamic motion within the secondary storage chamber 302. Given the position of the closing plate 300a beneath the lowermost horizontal cylindrical barrel 18, only the combination of the vertical hollow tube 354 and the horizontal hollow tube 352 will be described, Only the vertically oriented hollow tube 354 is required for the charging tower 350 because the horizontal cylindrical steel wall 18 can be configured to have an aperture that allows fluid to enter the secondary storage chamber 302 to be.

Referring to Figs. 24-27, a fourth example of the storage tank containment system 10 is shown. 24 depicts a continuously interconnected cylindrical shape extending through storage tank 12, closure plates 300a and 300d and closing plate 300a and on two of the vertical sides of storage tank 12, (100a, 100b) extending between the outer surfaces of the walls (16, 18) for reinforcing the storage tank (12) against dynamic loads from the fluid in the inner fluid storage chamber (not shown) Fig.

The storage tank 12 in this fourth example has a closed tubular cross section interconnected at both ends with tubular steel walls 16 and 18 having opposite ends and two ends of each of the other tubular steel walls 16 and 18 , So that the interconnected interior of the tubular steel walls 16, 18 forms an inner fluid storage chamber (not shown). The storage tank 12 also includes closing plates 300a and 300d that are connected between the outer surfaces of the tubular steel walls 16 and 18 that are successively interconnected to form the surface of the storage tank 12. The inner surfaces of the closure plates 300a and 300d and the outer surfaces of the tubular steel walls 16 and 18 are at least partially filled with an auxiliary fluid storage chamber (not shown) as described with reference to Figures 1-23 .

Two types of closing plates 300a, 300d are shown in FIG. Closure plates 300a extend vertically between the outer sides of the tubular steel walls 16, 18 which are successively interconnected, at each of the vertical faces of the storage tank 12. Conversely, the closing plate 300d extends in the tangential direction between the outer portions of the tubular steel walls 16, 18, which are continuously interconnected, on the uppermost side of the storage tank 12. Each side of the storage tank 12 can be described as having a maximum outer dimension for the tubular steel walls 16, 18 that are continuously interconnected with respect to the center of the storage tank 12.

In the case of the vertical plane shown in Fig. 24, the maximum outer dimension is located on the outer circumference of the tubular steel walls 16, 18 and the closing plate 300a is located on the inner side with respect to the maximum outer dimension Extending between the outer portions of the tubular steel walls 16, 18 that are continuously interconnected. In other words, the closing plate 300a is concave when compared with the maximum outer dimension on the vertical surface of the storage tank 12. [ This is advantageous in limiting the overall width of the storage tank 12 to better fit the storage tank 12 within the dock of the transport.

In the case of the top surface, the closing plate 300d extends between the outer portions of the tubular steel walls 16, 18 which are continuously interconnected at a position that is external to the maximum outer dimension. In other words, the closing plate 300d is slightly spaced from the maximum outer dimension on the uppermost surface of the storage tank 12 toward the outside. Often, the overall height of the dock can be greater than its width, which allows more leeway at the location of the closure plate 300d. Both of the closing plates 300a, 300d are shown having a planar outer surface or a flat outer surface, although other shapes are possible. For example, a spherical closure plate, a circular closure plate, a triangular closure plate, or an I-shaped closure plate may be used to form the outer limit of the secondary storage chamber.

Two outer support structures 100a and 100b are shown in FIG. Both of which exhibit a cross shape in which the outer support structure 100a is located in the right vertical plane of the storage tank 12 and the outer support structure 100b is located in the left vertical plane of the storage tank 12. The outer support structure 100a includes a vertical brace 102 and a horizontal brace 106 that are rigidly interconnected and wherein the vertical brace and the horizontal brace are connected to the outer surface of a tubular steel bar 16, And a closing plate (300a) on the right vertical surface of the storage tank (12). The outer support structure 100b includes a vertical brace 104 and a horizontal brace 106 that are rigidly interconnected and wherein the vertical brace and the horizontal brace are connected to the outer surface of a tubular steel bar 16, And through the closing plate 300a on the left vertical side of the storage tank 12. [

The outer support structures 100a and 100b not only extend through the closing plate 300a but also extend outwardly from the outer surface of the closing plate 300a so that the outward direction extends in the direction of the outer surface of the storage tank 300a 12). Thus, the outer support structures 100a, 100b are configured to reinforce the storage tank 12 against dynamic loads from the fluid in the inner fluid storage chamber, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > and / or < / RTI >

25 is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the storage tank containment system 10 of Fig. 24, including the outer support structures 100a, 100b, and 100c, viewed from direction D in Fig. The outer support structure 100c of the bottom surface of the storage tank 12 extends outwardly from the outer surface of the tubular steel walls 16 and 18 that are successively interconnected and outwardly from the outer surface of the closing plate 300d And vertical braces 102, 104 forming a base 150 for the storage tank. The base (150) is configured to support the storage tank (12) in an installed position within the dock of the transport. Here, the peripheries of the vertical braces 102, 104 forming the base 150 are chamfered to coincide with the inner shape of the dock, but vertical braces 102, 104 having other types of shapes are also possible.

Fig. 25 also shows a plurality of blocks 600. Fig. The block 600 is disposed on the outer support structures 100a, 100b, and 100c in various manners. For example, the block 600 associated with the outer support structures 100a, 100b may be in contact with either the vertical brace 102, 104 or the horizontal brace 106 and one of the outer surfaces of the closing plate 300a, . A block 600 disposed under the horizontal brace 106 and in contact with the horizontal brace 106 may provide a vertical support surface and may be disposed on the side and in contact with the vertical braces 102, Block 600 may provide a roll restraining surface and a pitch restraining surface. The block 600 associated with the base 150 of the storage tank 12 is configured to contact the outer surface of the vertical braces 102 and 104 as shown to isolate the storage tank 12 from the bottom of the transport .

The block 600 is disposed in a manner that is configured to hold the storage tank 12 at the installation location when it is acting as a spacer or adjacent to a bracket, stop, or other structure that extends from the pod of the transport. The block 600 may be formed of marine grade laminated and densified wood and may be adhesively bonded to the closure plates 300a and 300d and the braces 102,104 and 106 using epoxy, . Other high strength materials may also be used for block 600. Although block 600 in FIG. 25 is shown spaced equally spaced along various braces 102, 104, and 106, other configurations are possible. For example, block 600 may be clustering in a particular area and configured to wrap brace 102, 104, 106. Although block 600 in FIG. 25 is shown as a hexahedron, other shapes for the block, such as long rectangles, triangles, or other shapes are also possible.

26 is a side view of the storage tank containment system 10 of Figs. 24 and 25. Fig. In this view, the storage tank 12 is partially divided by a vertical brace 104 and a horizontal brace 106 forming an outer support structure 100b and is generally peripherally defined by a vertical brace 102, . The vertical brace 104 and the horizontal brace 106 are shown crossed in a cross or lattice. The vertical brace 104 and the horizontal brace 106 also intersect the tubular steel walls 16, 18 and extend through the tubular steel wall. Although any of the braces 102, 104, 106 may be configured to be adjacent to the outer surfaces of the closure plates 300a, 300d and the tubular steel walls 16, 18, And may also provide support and rigidity to the storage tank containment system 10. [

The closing plate 300d extending along the uppermost and lowermost surfaces of the storage tank 12 may both extend beyond the maximum outer dimension for the tubular steel bars 16,18 continuously connected to each other on the top and bottom surfaces, Respectively. The closing plate 300d on the uppermost surface of the storage tank 12 has a shorter height than the closing plate 300d on the lowermost surface of the storage tank 12, May be the same or may have opposite values. The volume of the auxiliary fluid storage chamber is determined by the arrangement of the closing plate 300d, and the larger the height of the closing plate 300d, the larger the volume of the auxiliary fluid storage chamber.

Figure 27 is an exploded perspective view of the storage tank containment system 10 of Figures 24-26 showing the bulkhead ring webs 200 and 202 disposed across the middle segment of the horizontally tubular steel bar 18 of the storage tank 12 ; bulkhead ring web). The bulkhead ring web 200 includes a planar plate 204a, 204b having an annular shape that extends through the interior of the tubular steel wall 18 or that is otherwise connected to the interior of the tubular steel wall, And a gusset plate 502 extending along the plane. The planar plates 204a and 204b form a large hole 206 that allows for a limited flow of fluid through the bulkhead ring web 200. [ The bulkhead ring web 202 also includes two planar annular plates 204c and 204d that form holes 206 and a gusset plate 504 that extends along the same plane as the vertical brace 102. [ The planar plates 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d and the holes 206 both have an annular shape.

The holes 206 in the planar plates 204a, 204b, 204c and 204d are configured such that the inner edges of the planar plates 204a, 204b, 204c and 204d extend above the minimum charge level, The size is determined to weaken the burden load. The annular planar plates 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d may be used in lieu of a bulkhead of a flexible membrane type. Alternatively, an inner membrane with additional holes (not shown) may be mounted in the existing holes 206 of the planar plates 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d. By using ring-shaped planar plates 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d in place of the small-hole-style planar plate 204 in the previously described embodiment, the overall weight of the storage tank 12 can be further reduced have.

The embodiments, features, and examples described above with respect to the features and structure of the storage tank containment system 10 may be implemented in a wide variety of ways depending on one or more design criteria, strength criteria, manufacturing criteria, cost criteria, and / And / or < / RTI > These dimensions described are based on the case of some design considerations and are presented as non-limiting examples. It will be appreciated that other thicknesses may be used depending on the materials used and the application.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but that various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims The scope of which is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as are permitted under the patent law.

Claims (14)

A large-capacity natural gas storage tank (12)
A tubular barrel (16, 18) having an opposite end and an intermediate segment, the intermediate segment having a closed tubular cross-section and interconnected at both ends with the ends of each of the two other tubular barbs (16, 18) A tubular steel wall in which the interconnected interior of the steel walls (16, 18) forms an inner fluid storage chamber (22);
A closure plate 300 connected between the outer surfaces of the tubular steel walls 16 and 18 which are continuously interconnected to form a surface of the storage tank 12, Wherein the surface and the outer surface of the tubular steel walls (16, 18) form an auxiliary fluid storage chamber (302);
Tubular steel walls 16 and 18 that are continuously interconnected on at least a portion of the surfaces of the storage tank 12 that are configured to reinforce the storage tank 12 against dynamic loads from the fluid in the inner fluid storage chamber 22. [ An outer support structure (102, 104, 106) extending between outer surfaces of the outer support structure;
(204a, 204b, 204c, 204d) disposed in the inner fluid storage chamber (22) across the middle segment of the tubular barriers (16, 18) A gusset plate 502, 504 connecting at least a portion of the support structure 102, 104, 106 and the annular planar plates 204a, 204b, 204c, 204d and extending through the closure plate 300, A bulkhead ring web (200, 202)
Wherein the natural gas storage tank is a high-capacity natural gas storage tank. A large-capacity natural gas storage tank (12)
A tubular barrel (16, 18) having an opposite end and an intermediate segment, said intermediate segment having a closed tubular cross-section and interconnected at each end with the end of each of the other tubular barbs (16, 18) The interconnected interior of the walls (16, 18) forming an inner fluid storage chamber;
A bulkhead ring web (200, 202) disposed within an inner fluid storage chamber (22) across a middle segment of tubular steel walls (16, 18), wherein each bulkhead ring web comprises a plurality of tubular steel walls A bulkhead ring web comprising an annular planar plate connected to one interior and defining an aperture (206) for permitting limited flow of fluid through the bulkhead ring webs (200, 202);
A closing plate (300) extending in a tangential direction between the outer surfaces of the tubular steel walls (16, 18) which are continuously interconnected to form the uppermost and lowermost surfaces of the storage tank (12) 300) and the outer surface of the tubular barriers (16, 18) at least partially form an auxiliary fluid storage chamber (302);
(Not shown) on the lowermost side of the storage tank 12 to form a base 150 for the storage tank 12, which is configured to support the storage tank 12 in an installed position within the carrier of the carrier An outer support structure 100 extending outwardly from the outer surface of the tubular steel walls 16, 18 interconnected outwardly and continuously from the outer surface of the closing plate 300,
Wherein the natural gas storage tank is a high-capacity natural gas storage tank. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the bulkhead ring webs (200, 202) includes an inner membrane forming at least one aperture (206) Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > natural gas storage tank. ≪ / RTI > 2. The method of claim 1 wherein each side of the storage tank (12) has a maximum outer dimension for the tubular steel walls (16, 18) that are continuously interconnected with respect to the center of the storage tank (12) Gas storage tank. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the closing plate (300) is arranged on at least a portion of the sides of the storage tank (12) at an inner position relative to the maximum outer dimension, Wherein the natural gas reservoir extends between the first and second reservoirs. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the closing plate (300) is arranged on the vertical sides of the storage tank (12) at a position inward relative to the maximum outer dimension, Wherein the natural gas storage tank extends between the first and second ends. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the closing plate (300) is arranged on at least a portion of the sides of the storage tank (12), at an outer position relative to the maximum outer dimension, Wherein the natural gas reservoir extends between the first and second reservoirs. 8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the closing plate (300) comprises a tubular steel wall (16, 18) continuously interconnected at a position outside of the maximum outer dimension on the uppermost and lowermost surfaces of the storage tank Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > a < / RTI > natural gas storage tank. The method according to claim 1,
A block 600 disposed on the outer support structure 102, 104,
Wherein the block (600) is configured to retain the storage tank (12) in an installed position adjacent to a bracket extending from the pod of the transport. 2. The high capacity natural gas storage tank of claim 1, wherein the outer support structure (102, 104, 106) is formed of a rigid interconnected vertical brace and a horizontal brace. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein each closure plate (300) extends vertically on each side of the storage tank (12), between the outer portions of the tubular steel walls (16, 18) And extending in a tangential direction. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein each closure plate (300) comprises one of a spherical outer surface, a round outer surface, a triangular outer surface, an I-shaped outer surface, or a planar outer surface Storage tank. 4. The high capacity natural gas storage tank of claim 3, wherein the hole (206) has an annular shape. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the outer support structure (100) extends outwardly from the outer surface of the closing plate (300) on the uppermost surface of the storage tank (12)
A block 600 disposed on the outer support structure 100 outwardly from the outer surface of the closing plate 300 on the uppermost surface of the storage tank 12,
Wherein the block (600) is configured to retain the storage tank (12) at an installed location adjacent the bracket extending from the pod of the transport.

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