US3147878A - Cryogenic storage tank - Google Patents

Cryogenic storage tank Download PDF

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Publication number
US3147878A
US3147878A US762520A US76252058A US3147878A US 3147878 A US3147878 A US 3147878A US 762520 A US762520 A US 762520A US 76252058 A US76252058 A US 76252058A US 3147878 A US3147878 A US 3147878A
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Prior art keywords
vessel
blanket
inner vessel
tank
resilient
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US762520A
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English (en)
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Ivan L Wissmiller
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Chicago Bridge and Iron Co
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Chicago Bridge and Iron Co
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Priority to NL113814D priority Critical patent/NL113814C/xx
Priority to NL234004D priority patent/NL234004A/xx
Application filed by Chicago Bridge and Iron Co filed Critical Chicago Bridge and Iron Co
Priority to US762520A priority patent/US3147878A/en
Priority to GB37684/58A priority patent/GB840952A/en
Priority to FR784112A priority patent/FR1220988A/fr
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C3/00—Vessels not under pressure
    • F17C3/02—Vessels not under pressure with provision for thermal insulation
    • F17C3/022—Land-based bulk storage containers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • F17C2201/0109—Shape cylindrical with exteriorly curved end-piece
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • F17C2201/0119—Shape cylindrical with flat end-piece
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0128—Shape spherical or elliptical
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/03—Orientation
    • F17C2201/032—Orientation with substantially vertical main axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/052—Size large (>1000 m3)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/01—Reinforcing or suspension means
    • F17C2203/014—Suspension means
    • F17C2203/015—Bars
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
    • F17C2203/0304—Thermal insulations by solid means
    • F17C2203/0325—Aerogel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
    • F17C2203/0304—Thermal insulations by solid means
    • F17C2203/0329—Foam
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
    • F17C2203/0304—Thermal insulations by solid means
    • F17C2203/0337—Granular
    • F17C2203/0341—Perlite
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
    • F17C2203/0304—Thermal insulations by solid means
    • F17C2203/0345—Fibres
    • F17C2203/035—Glass wool
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
    • F17C2203/0304—Thermal insulations by solid means
    • F17C2203/0354—Wood
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
    • F17C2203/0391—Thermal insulations by vacuum
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0612—Wall structures
    • F17C2203/0626—Multiple walls
    • F17C2203/0629—Two walls
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0636—Metals
    • F17C2203/0639—Steels
    • F17C2203/0643—Stainless steels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0636—Metals
    • F17C2203/0646—Aluminium
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0636—Metals
    • F17C2203/0648—Alloys or compositions of metals
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0678—Concrete
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0153—Details of mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/018—Supporting feet
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/011—Oxygen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/012—Hydrogen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032—Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/033—Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/033—Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/03—Dealing with losses
    • F17C2260/031—Dealing with losses due to heat transfer
    • F17C2260/033—Dealing with losses due to heat transfer by enhancing insulation
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
    • Y02E60/32—Hydrogen storage
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S220/00—Receptacles
    • Y10S220/901—Liquified gas content, cryogenic

Definitions

  • Normally gaseous materials for which it is desired to provide storage in the liquid phase include hydrogen, oxygen, methane and ethylene.
  • hydrogen is stored at its liquid boiling point of 423 F., it has a gas to liquid volume ratio of 824 to 1.
  • Oxygen stored at its boiling point of -297 F. has a ratio of 845 to 1; methane at 258 F. has a ratio of 625 to 1; and ethylene at 155 F. has a ratio of 480 to 1.
  • a double-walled tank having an inner vessel designed to contain the liquified gas to be stored and also designed to withstand the lateral pressure of insulating material acting against the outer surface of the inner vessel and an outer vessel serving as a vapor barrier designed to withstand the lateral forces of insulating material acting against the inner surface of this vessel, is employed as a cryogenic storage tank.
  • an inexpensive non-cohesive insulating material which exerts an active lateral pressure arising from the weight of the material and its tendency to flow is placed.
  • the amount of thermal expansion and contraction which may take place in the inner vessel depends upon such factors as the range of temperatures in a cycle, the size of the inner vessel and the coefiicient of thermal expansion of the material of which the inner vessel is constructed. For example, in a tank having an inner cylindrical vessel feet in diameter, constructed of aluminum, where maximum ambient temperature is +100 F., used in storing liquid methane at 258 F., the
  • diameter of the inner vessel will be reduced by 4.36 inches during that portion of the storage cycle in which the tank is filled with liquid methane.
  • a means for preventing the compaction, crushing and trituration of insulating material particles in the annular space between the inner and outer vessels of a double walled cryogenic storage tank which permits the utilization of inexpensive, easily handled insulating materials in the aforesaid space.
  • FIGURE 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a double walled cylindrical storage tank
  • FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a double walled spherical storage tank
  • FIGURES 3, 4, 5, and 6 are fragmentary vertical crosssectional views of alternate expedients for compensating for the lateral forces exerted during the thermal expansion and contraction of the inner vessel.
  • the cylindrical cryogenic storage tank consists of (a) a cylindrical outer vessel 10 having a flat bottom 11 resting on a prepared grade, enclosed by side Wall 12 and roof 13; and (b) a concentric cylindrical inner vessel 14 consisting of a fiat bottom 15 resting unpon a load bearing insulating material 16, such as light weight concrete or foamglass, side wall 17 and roof 18.
  • a resilient blanket 19 is placed about the outside of side wall 17 and roof 18 of the inner vessel and held in position by suitable fasteners such as welded studs laterally depending outwardly from side wall 17 which penetrate blanket 151.
  • the terminal end of the stud is fitted with fiat bearing member which frictionally engages the stud and holds the blanket in position.
  • the remainder of the space between the side walls and the roofs of the inner and outer vessels is filled with granular insulating material particles 20, such as expanded perlite.
  • the liquefied material L to be stored is located within the inner vessel, and can be withdrawn and replenished by means of a suitable loading and unloading system employing nozzles, valves and pipes which are not shown for the purposes of simplicity.
  • Resilient blanket 19 is selected so as to resist the active lateral pressure of granular, insulation material 20 Without substantial deflection, but to deflect or compress elastically without permanent set when the active lateral pressure of the insulation is supplemented by a passive lateral pressure resulting from the thermally induced lateral movement of the sidewall of the inner vessel during operational use.
  • the active lateral pressure is about to 30 pounds per square foot at depths lower than about 10 feet from the top.
  • the resilient blanket must therefore be capable of resisting a force of at least 10 pounds per square foot and preferably about 30 pounds per square foot without substantial deflection or compression.
  • the resilient blanket selected for use with expanded perlite as the insulation must also deflect or compress substantially when a combination of active and passive lateral pressures developed by the insulation produces loads greater than about 30 pounds per square foot and not in excess of 100 pounds per square foot and return to substantially its original thickness without taking a permanent set when the load is released.
  • the preferred resilient blanket is prepared from sheets of matted glass fibers which are formed into a resilient mass and held in place by means of a suitable binder.
  • a satisfactory, low density, resilient insulating blanket formed of fine glass fibers, bonded together by a suitable binder such as a thin film of phenol-formaldehyde resin binder can be successfully used. It is desirable to select a blanket made of glass fibers having nominal diameters less than 0.00015 inch.
  • One type of fiberglass blanket which has been used is a type manufactured and marketed by the L-O-F Glass Fibers Company under the name Microlite having a phenolic binder and a density of 2 pounds per cubic foot.
  • the thickness of the resilient blanket must be selected so as to make available as much useful resilience as there is variation in thickness of the annular space of the tank between ambient temperature and the lowest operating temperature.
  • a resilient blanket made of the glass fiber material described above, placed in the four feet thick insulating space produced in the 100 foot diameter tank described above, where expanded perlite is employed as the insulating material, the inner vessel is made of aluminum and liquid methane is to be stored must be 8.2 inches in thickness so as to have a useful resilience of 2.18 inches.
  • Resilient blankets made of other types of natural or synthetic fibers which maintain their resilience at the low operating temperature can also be utilized.
  • blankets made of acetate synthetic fibers if properly bonded and if selected of a thickness to afford the proper amount of useful resilience are satisfactory.
  • FIGURE 1 shows a resilient blanket made of fine fibrous material, such as glass fiber, placed around the cylinder and over the roof portions of the inner vessel. Suitable provision must be made, of course, to hold the resilient blanket in proper position after it has been placed. When so placed, it can be seen that, as the inner vessel contracts and expands during different portions of the cooling and warming cycle, the resilient blanket will expand and compress commensurately, maintaining the illsulating material in place and preventing the compaction or crushing of the insulating material. In practice, both the resilient blanket and the insulating material are placed in the annular space when the tank is at ambient temperature.
  • fine fibrous material such as glass fiber
  • the insulation when placed at ambient temperature, causes the resilient blanket to be compressed slightly on account of the active lateral pressure exerted by the insulation material, ranging, as stated above, from about 10 to about 30 pounds per square foot.
  • the inner vessel contracts, causing the total thickness of the annular space to increase, but the resilient blanket expands on account of the reduction in lateral force of the insulating material as the contraction of the inner vessel takes place.
  • FIGURE 2 shows the use of a similar resilient blanket in a spherical storage tank.
  • the inner spherical vessel 21 is concentrically cradled within outer spherical vessel 22 by means of bars 23 or similar supports which depend downwardly from spaced positions on the inner periphery of outer vessel 22.
  • the resilient blanket 24 is placed so as to surround the inner vessel 21 completely.
  • To facilitate installation the upper half of the inner vessel is provided with one portion of the resilient blanket and the remaining portion is laid upon the lower half of the outer vessel. Filling the remainder of the annular space is a suitable granular insulating material 25.
  • the entire tank is supported by means of columns 26 attached to the outer spherical vessel 22.
  • the resilient blanket 24 functions in a spherical tank in exactly the same way that it functions in a cylindrical tank such as that shown in FIG- URE 1.
  • the blanket is shown in position against the outer surface of the inner vessel, it will also function effectively if placed against the inner surface of the outer vessel, partly against one and partly against the other as in FIGURE 2, or appropriately draped within the annular space and surrounded by granular insulation.
  • FIGURE 3 shows in fragmentary form an inner vessel wall 30, an outer vessel wall 31, a thin membrane 32 spaced apart from the inner vessel wall 30 by means of helical compression springs 33 having axes normal to the wall surface, with granular insulating material 34- placed between thin membrane 32 and the outer vessel wall 31.
  • compression springs of such strength and to space them in such manner that the thin membrane 32 will be depressed substantially evenly upon any increase in lateral pressure of the granular insulating material acting against it.
  • the membrane and the springs must be selected of material possessing the necessary low temperature resilience characteristics.
  • FIGURE 4 illustrates another embodiment, in which a sinuous or corrugated type of resilient spring strip material 40 is substituted for coil springs 33.
  • inner wall 30, outer wall 31, membrane 32 and granular insulating material 34 are the same as shown in FIGURE 3.
  • corrugated spring 40 which separates membrane 32 from vessel wall 30 must be so selected as to have the desired characteristics at the extremely low temperatures at which the tank must function.
  • the spacing between vessel wall 3% and membrane 32 and the spring strength must likewise be so selected as to permit the proper deflection of membrane during the warming and cooling cycle.
  • FIGURE 5 illustrates still another embodiment of the invention, in which gas inflatable cells 50 are placed between membrane 32 and inner vessel Wall 30.
  • a means for controlling the pressure of the air or gas in the inflatable cells so as to be maintained at a proper pressure regardless of temperature variations, to insure the proper amount of deflection during the warming and cooling cycle.
  • uch means can include a constant pressure gas holder, not shown, to maintain about 30 pounds per square foot gas pressure in the cellular structure, thus controlling the lateral insulation pressure to that same amount.
  • the gas holder should have enough volume to accommodate all volume variations of the mattress caused by temperature changes resulting from varying depth of the cold stored liquid.
  • An automatic repressuring system should be provided to maintain the constant gas holder pressure.
  • An automatic vent should be provided to release excess gas from the holder during a complete warm-up to ambient temperature.
  • FIGURE 6 illustrates one other embodiment of the invention in which fluid-impermeable membrane 32 is resiliently held against granular insulating material 34 by means of a subatmospheric pressure induced in the space in which the granular insulating material is located by means of a suitable vacuum pump, not shown.
  • the vacuum producing means is located at a convenient ex ternal location and is connected by means of piping to the space in which the granular insulating material is placed. It is necessary to maintain only a very slight vacuum in the space between the outer tank wall 31 and the membrane 32. For example, in order to maintain a lateral pressure against the insulating material of 30 pounds per square foot, an amount sufficient to hold perlite material in place at all points, a vacuum of only approximately 0.2 p.s.i. is required.
  • fabricated sheets which can be used to construct the flexible diaphragms include thin metal plates if provided with suitable expansion joints, or sheets of nylon, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, etc. Woven fabrics of fiber glass, cotton, nylon or the like can be used and made fluid impermeable, if necessary, by coating with thin films of suitable natural or synthetic elastomers.
  • the spring elements used in these embodiments can be made from stainless steel or the like. It should be understood that the lateral force compensators employed in this invention can be placed adjacent to the inner surface of the outer vessel instead of adjacent to the outer surface of the inner vessel, as shown, without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.
  • the insulating materials which are preferably employed are non-cohesive or substantially free-flowing, lightweight, thermal insulators having a particle size sufiiciently small so as to prevent convection losses through circulation of air through the packed mass.
  • granular insulation having a particle size of less than about /8 inch is used.
  • the particulate insulation should be substantially non-friable and have a k factor of less than about 0.4 B.t.u./sq. ft./hr./inch.
  • inorganic substances such as expanded perlite, expanded vermiculite, inorganic aerogels such as silica aerogel, and the like can be used.
  • insulation which can be used includes granulated cork, shredded foamed polystyrene, etc. Although granular insulation is used in the illustrative embodiments other types of insulation, such as fibrous materials, including shredded wood or bark, fiber glass waste or mineral wool can be used which can consolidate and cause excessive passive lateral pressure.
  • the inner and outer vessel In fabricating the inner and outer vessel conventional materials of construction, preferably low carbon steel, are used for the latter.
  • the inner vessel must be constructed from materials which do not become brittle in the low temperature service to which they are exposed. Metals such as aluminum, cupro-nickel, and others have desirable properties over substantially the entire temperature range. Steel alloys, however, have to be notch toug (Charpy Impact Test of about not less than 15 foot-pounds keyhole at the lowest expected operating temperature of the material), e.g. 18-8 stainless steel, 9% nickel alloy steel, and others.
  • a tank for storing liquids comprising a closed inner storage vessel for receiving the liquid fabricated from a material remaining ductile at storage temperatures, an outer vessel spaced apart from said inner vessel defining an insulating space about the inner vessel, said insulating space being subject to substantial changes in transverse width caused by thermally-induced expansions and contractions produced in said inner vessel during the loading and emptying cycle of said tank, a resilient blanket having low temperature compressive resiliency disposed in the insulating space and freely exposed to the ambient atmosphere therein to form a layer between the inner vessel and the outer vessel, and a free mass of substantially free-flowing light-weight thermal insulating material exposed to the atmosphere within and filling the remainder of the insulating space, said mass exerting a lateral pressure against said blanket and being confined within said insulating space only by direct contact with said blanket and direct contact with at least one vessel surface, the compressive resiliency of the blanket being such that variation in the thickness of the insulating space between the inner vessel and the outer vessel, due to the expansion or contraction of
  • a tank for storing liquids comprising a closed inner storage vessel for receiving the liquid fabricated from a material remaining ductile at storage temperatures, an outer vessel spaced apart from said inner vessel defining an insulating space about the inner vessel, said insulating space being subject to substantial changes in transverse width caused by thermally-induced expansions and contractions produced in said inner vessel during the loading and emptying cycle of said tank, a resilient blanket fabricated from a unitary mass of matted glass fibers and having low temperature compressive resiliency disposed in the insulating space and freely exposed to the ambient atmosphere therein to form a layer between the inner amass-s vessel and the outer vessel, and a free mass of substantially free-flowing light-weight thermal insulating material exposed to the atmosphere Within and filling the remainder of the insulating space, said mass exerting a lateral pressure against said blanket and being confined Within said insulating space only by direct contact with said blanket and direct contact with at least one vessel surface, and exerting a compressive force on said blanket under all service conditions of the
  • a tank for storing liquids comprising a closed inner storage vessel for receiving the liquid fabricated from a material remaining ductile at storage temperatures, an outer vessel spaced apart from said inner vessel defining an insulating space about the inner vessel, said insulating space being subject to substantial changes in transverse width caused by thermally-induced expansions and contractions produced in said inner vessel during the loading and emptying cycle of said tank, a resilient blanket fabricated from a unitary mass of matted glass fibers and having low temperature compressive resiliency disposed in the insulating space and freely exposed to the ambient atmosphere therein to form a layer between the inner Vessel and the outer vessel, and a free mass of substantially free-fiowing light-weight thermal expanded perlite material exposed to the atmosphere within and filling the remainder of the insulating space, said mass exerting a lateral pressure against said blanket and being confined within said insulating space only by direct contact with said blanket and direct contact with at least one vessel surface, and exerting a compressive force on said blanket under all service conditions of the insulating space,
  • a tank in accordance with claim 5 in which said glass fibers have a nominal diameter of less than about 0.00015 inch and said blanket has a density of less than about 2 pounds per cubic foot.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
US762520A 1958-09-22 1958-09-22 Cryogenic storage tank Expired - Lifetime US3147878A (en)

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NL113814D NL113814C (ro) 1958-09-22
NL234004D NL234004A (ro) 1958-09-22
US762520A US3147878A (en) 1958-09-22 1958-09-22 Cryogenic storage tank
GB37684/58A GB840952A (en) 1958-09-22 1958-11-24 Liquefied gas storage containers
FR784112A FR1220988A (fr) 1958-09-22 1959-01-15 Cuve de stockage à basse température de liquides ou de gaz liquéfiés

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Cited By (20)

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US3273740A (en) * 1963-05-07 1966-09-20 Tank for liquefied natural gas and other products stored at low temperatures
US3357586A (en) * 1963-09-03 1967-12-12 Union Carbide Corp Apparatus for conserving and dispensing valuable materials
US3370739A (en) * 1965-07-12 1968-02-27 Gen Motors Corp Refrigerating apparatus
US3400849A (en) * 1965-04-02 1968-09-10 Service Nat Dit Gaz De France Tanks for the storage and transport of cryogenic fluids
US3419174A (en) * 1963-07-18 1968-12-31 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Method and apparatus for liquefied gas storage
US3481504A (en) * 1968-07-05 1969-12-02 Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel Liquid storage container
US3595424A (en) * 1969-02-24 1971-07-27 Conch Int Methane Ltd Containers for liquefied gases
US3942331A (en) * 1974-07-08 1976-03-09 The Dow Chemical Company Cryogenic tank
US3987925A (en) * 1975-08-11 1976-10-26 Chicago Bridge & Iron Company Insulated tank
US3991899A (en) * 1973-10-24 1976-11-16 Hochtief Ag Fur Hoch- Und Tiefbauten Cylindrical pressure chamber for nuclear reactor or the like
US4327554A (en) * 1979-12-13 1982-05-04 Pittsburgh-Des Moines Corporation Spill condition venting system
US4498602A (en) * 1983-12-08 1985-02-12 Chicago Bridge & Iron Company Resilient blanket with integral high strength facing and method of making same
US4851184A (en) * 1987-04-29 1989-07-25 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Building made from concrete walls, in particular for nuclear plants
US4976110A (en) * 1989-04-03 1990-12-11 Altank Industries Ltd. Support system for vacuum insulated cylindrical cryogenic vessels
US20060086741A1 (en) * 2004-10-21 2006-04-27 Chicago Bridge & Iron Company Low temperature/cryogenic liquid storage structure
US20060123902A1 (en) * 2004-12-10 2006-06-15 Rainer Pechtold Level indicator for liquid hydrogen tank
WO2007044341A2 (en) * 2005-10-04 2007-04-19 Aspen Aerogels, Inc. Cryogenic insulation systems with nanoporous components
US20100187237A1 (en) * 2008-09-23 2010-07-29 Alec Nelson Brooks Cryogenic Liquid Tank
US20130206356A1 (en) * 2010-08-30 2013-08-15 Airlight Energy Ip Sa Heat store
US20180313104A1 (en) * 2016-01-19 2018-11-01 Ihi Corporation Construction method for double-shell tank

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BE605675A (ro) * 1960-09-26
GB942371A (en) * 1961-06-21 1963-11-20 Union Carbide Corp Improvements in and relating to heat insulation
US3229473A (en) * 1962-12-07 1966-01-18 Exxon Research Engineering Co Vessel for transporting low temperature liquids
US3236406A (en) * 1963-08-29 1966-02-22 Union Carbide Corp Spaced wall insulated container
DE1434788B1 (de) * 1964-03-27 1971-08-12 Rheinhold & Mahla Gmbh Kuehlhaus,insbesondere als ebenerdiger eingeschossiger Bau
US3369187A (en) * 1965-04-16 1968-02-13 Gen Electric Integrated electronic circuit construction including external bias resistor
US3612332A (en) * 1969-10-10 1971-10-12 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Insulated storage tank of increased capacity with suspended insulated ceiling
CH558746A (de) * 1973-05-28 1975-02-14 Basler Stueckfaerberei Ag Zylindrischer behaelter aus faserverstaerktem kunststoff und verfahren zu dessen herstellung.
US4522559A (en) * 1982-02-19 1985-06-11 General Electric Company Compressor casing

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US1463563A (en) * 1920-02-19 1923-07-31 George A Taylor Fireless stove
US2110470A (en) * 1936-02-24 1938-03-08 Charles L Norton Insulating material
US2725271A (en) * 1952-05-02 1955-11-29 Westinghouse Electric Corp Unitary thermally insulating structural members
US2817124A (en) * 1956-02-08 1957-12-24 Gen Motors Corp Refrigeration apparatus
US2963874A (en) * 1957-08-05 1960-12-13 Columbia Southern Chem Corp Method of and means for storing chlorine
US3007596A (en) * 1956-07-16 1961-11-07 Union Carbide Corp Thermal insulation

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US1463563A (en) * 1920-02-19 1923-07-31 George A Taylor Fireless stove
US2110470A (en) * 1936-02-24 1938-03-08 Charles L Norton Insulating material
US2725271A (en) * 1952-05-02 1955-11-29 Westinghouse Electric Corp Unitary thermally insulating structural members
US2817124A (en) * 1956-02-08 1957-12-24 Gen Motors Corp Refrigeration apparatus
US3007596A (en) * 1956-07-16 1961-11-07 Union Carbide Corp Thermal insulation
US2963874A (en) * 1957-08-05 1960-12-13 Columbia Southern Chem Corp Method of and means for storing chlorine

Cited By (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3273740A (en) * 1963-05-07 1966-09-20 Tank for liquefied natural gas and other products stored at low temperatures
US3419174A (en) * 1963-07-18 1968-12-31 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Method and apparatus for liquefied gas storage
US3357586A (en) * 1963-09-03 1967-12-12 Union Carbide Corp Apparatus for conserving and dispensing valuable materials
US3400849A (en) * 1965-04-02 1968-09-10 Service Nat Dit Gaz De France Tanks for the storage and transport of cryogenic fluids
US3370739A (en) * 1965-07-12 1968-02-27 Gen Motors Corp Refrigerating apparatus
US3481504A (en) * 1968-07-05 1969-12-02 Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel Liquid storage container
US3595424A (en) * 1969-02-24 1971-07-27 Conch Int Methane Ltd Containers for liquefied gases
US3991899A (en) * 1973-10-24 1976-11-16 Hochtief Ag Fur Hoch- Und Tiefbauten Cylindrical pressure chamber for nuclear reactor or the like
US3942331A (en) * 1974-07-08 1976-03-09 The Dow Chemical Company Cryogenic tank
US3987925A (en) * 1975-08-11 1976-10-26 Chicago Bridge & Iron Company Insulated tank
US4327554A (en) * 1979-12-13 1982-05-04 Pittsburgh-Des Moines Corporation Spill condition venting system
US4498602A (en) * 1983-12-08 1985-02-12 Chicago Bridge & Iron Company Resilient blanket with integral high strength facing and method of making same
US4851184A (en) * 1987-04-29 1989-07-25 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Building made from concrete walls, in particular for nuclear plants
US4976110A (en) * 1989-04-03 1990-12-11 Altank Industries Ltd. Support system for vacuum insulated cylindrical cryogenic vessels
US20060086741A1 (en) * 2004-10-21 2006-04-27 Chicago Bridge & Iron Company Low temperature/cryogenic liquid storage structure
US20060123902A1 (en) * 2004-12-10 2006-06-15 Rainer Pechtold Level indicator for liquid hydrogen tank
US7159456B2 (en) * 2004-12-10 2007-01-09 General Motors Corporation Level indicator for liquid hydrogen tank
WO2007044341A2 (en) * 2005-10-04 2007-04-19 Aspen Aerogels, Inc. Cryogenic insulation systems with nanoporous components
WO2007044341A3 (en) * 2005-10-04 2008-12-04 Aspen Aerogels Inc Cryogenic insulation systems with nanoporous components
US20100187237A1 (en) * 2008-09-23 2010-07-29 Alec Nelson Brooks Cryogenic Liquid Tank
US20120279971A1 (en) * 2008-09-23 2012-11-08 Aerovironment Inc. Cryogenic Liquid Tank
US8960482B2 (en) 2008-09-23 2015-02-24 Aerovironment Inc. Cryogenic liquid tank
US9829155B2 (en) * 2008-09-23 2017-11-28 Aerovironment, Inc. Cryogenic liquid tank
US10584828B2 (en) 2008-09-23 2020-03-10 Aerovironment, Inc. Cryogenic liquid tank
US11346501B2 (en) 2008-09-23 2022-05-31 Aerovironment, Inc. Cryogenic liquid tank
US20130206356A1 (en) * 2010-08-30 2013-08-15 Airlight Energy Ip Sa Heat store
US20180313104A1 (en) * 2016-01-19 2018-11-01 Ihi Corporation Construction method for double-shell tank

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Publication number Publication date
NL234004A (ro)
NL113814C (ro)
GB840952A (en) 1960-07-13
FR1220988A (fr) 1960-05-30

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