US3385464A - Immersible tank with ballast means for its transport and immersion - Google Patents

Immersible tank with ballast means for its transport and immersion Download PDF

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Publication number
US3385464A
US3385464A US535776A US53577666A US3385464A US 3385464 A US3385464 A US 3385464A US 535776 A US535776 A US 535776A US 53577666 A US53577666 A US 53577666A US 3385464 A US3385464 A US 3385464A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tank
caisson
cupola
immersible
immersion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US535776A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Courbon Jean
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
D'etudes Et D'equipements D'entreprises SA Ste
Equipements D Entpr S SA Soc E
Original Assignee
Equipements D Entpr S SA Soc E
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from FR13833A external-priority patent/FR1440762A/fr
Application filed by Equipements D Entpr S SA Soc E filed Critical Equipements D Entpr S SA Soc E
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3385464A publication Critical patent/US3385464A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D27/00—Foundations as substructures
    • E02D27/01—Flat foundations
    • E02D27/04—Flat foundations in water or on quicksand
    • E02D27/06—Floating caisson foundations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D88/00—Large containers
    • B65D88/78—Large containers for use in or under water
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D23/00—Caissons; Construction or placing of caissons
    • E02D23/02—Caissons able to be floated on water and to be lowered into water in situ
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D29/00—Independent underground or underwater structures; Retaining walls
    • E02D29/06—Constructions, or methods of constructing, in water
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H7/00—Construction or assembling of bulk storage containers employing civil engineering techniques in situ or off the site
    • E04H7/02—Containers for fluids or gases; Supports therefor
    • E04H7/18—Containers for fluids or gases; Supports therefor mainly of concrete, e.g. reinforced concrete, or other stone-like material

Definitions

  • An immersible tank for the storage of lighter-than- Water liquid comprises a tubular peripheral fluid-tight caisson divided into several compartments and a rigid cupola overlying the caisson and firmly connected to it at its perimeter.
  • the caisson may be circular, oval or polygonal in cross section and in plan.
  • the cupola is generally dome shaped.
  • the tank is floated to its location and then immersed.
  • the caisson is preferably supported by legs so as to be spaced from the bottom.
  • the present invention relates to a tank for storing lighter-than-water liquids meeting these requirements. It comprises two main components:
  • a caisson of toroidal shape since it must withstand the water pressure during the immersion operation by charging the caisson with the necessary ballast, this ballast consisting for example of the liquid to be stored.
  • the caisson cross-section may be given a shape other than circular, for example a rectangular or triangular shape, in order to facilitate its construction.
  • the plan-view contour of the annular caisson may have a shape other than the aforesaid circular shape; thus, an elliptic, rectangular or even polygonal contour may be used.
  • a tank constructed according to these characteristics meets the above-mentioned requirements in a satisfactory manner.
  • by blowing compressed air into the cupola it can be extracted from the cotter-dam by floating with a shallow draught.
  • the caisson disposal on the tank periphery imparts an exceptional stability during the towing manoeuvres.
  • the tank can be immersed without difficulty by means of low-power winches.
  • the tank is supported on the sea bottom by means of at least three legs, the space underlying the cupola communicating freely with the sea under the caisson.
  • the oil is stored on the one hand in the caisson and on the other hand under the cupola, advantage being taken of the fact that oil is lighter than, and does not mix with sea water.
  • the storage capacity is limited by the requirement that the apparent weight of the tank must be constantly directed downwards.
  • the inner space of the caisson may be filled with ballast; the latter may consist for example of wet sand.
  • ballast may consist for example of wet sand.
  • raw oil is stored only under the cupola.
  • the metal cupola can be constructed under particularly economical conditions. In fact, this cupola is constantly distended since the resultant of the pressures exerted by the oil retained thereunder and by the external sea water is constantly directed outwards. Therefore, the cupola is free of any risk of instability by general buckling or local blistering.
  • this ballast consisting if desired of the liquid to be stored, thus increasing inasmuch the tank capacity at a depth suiticient to avoid the destructive effects of swell, the latter is nevertheless likely to exert a detrimental influence on the relatively thin and therefore easily deformable cupola; if these tanks are completely closed either by a bottom wall or by their continuity with the sea bottom, such as a digging preventer driven through light grounds, this swell creates differences in pressure between the interior and the exterior of the casing whereby costly means must be provided for reinforcing the structure.
  • these communication or passage means must be disposed in a zone where they are not likely, during their use, to be silted up or produce stirring effects in the sandy bottom on which the tank may be caused to rest.
  • FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 are respectively vertical sectional views and a plan view of an immersed tank constructed according to the teachings of this invention, and equipped with a toroidal caisson;
  • FIGURES 4, and 6 are similar views of a tank equipped with a polygonal-sectioned float
  • FIGURES 7 and 8 are views showing a modified form of embodiment with a cupola having a different surface of revolution
  • FIGURE 9 is a section showing a modified form of embodiment of the immersed tank.
  • the tank illustrated therein comprises a toroidal caisson 1 carrying a cupola 2 of spherical (FIGURE 2) or ellipsoidal (FIGURE 3) configuration.
  • This caisson bears on the bottom or ground by means of spaced legs 3 so that the internal volume of the tank communicates with the exterior. Due to the difference in density of sea water and oil, the latter does not mix up with sea water and can fill the tank up to the level shown by the chain-dotted line N.
  • Hook means 4 are provided under the cupola 2 for anchoring the winch ropes, and a nozzle 5 is provided for filling the tank with oil or compressed air.
  • the cupola As the metal sheets constituting the cupola are constantly distended as a consequence of the pressure balance between the outside and the inside of the tank, the cupola is connected to the caisson in a tangent direction and therefore no strain is produced in the sheet metal elements.
  • FIGURE 4 shows a typical form of embodiment comprising an annular caisson having a square cross-sectional contour
  • FIGURE 5 illustrates a modified structure comprising a triangular-sectioned float.
  • FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate a rectangular caisson 6 having a square cross-sectional contour, the cupola consisting in this case of properly assembled or connected cylindrical surfaces 7 and 8.
  • the tank illustrated in FIGURE 9 consists of an annular caisson 9 having secured to its top a cupola 10; this assembly is supported by legs 11 and closed laterally by a digging preventer 12; between the plane 13 tangent to the lower portion of the annular caisson 9 and the lowermost permissible level 14 of the stored liquid when the tank is full is the lower opening 15 of the passages 16 formed through this annular float 9; these passages extend upwards and outwards so that their upper opening 17 lies in the upper portion of the caisson 9.
  • the dimensions, number, shape and position of these openings are so determined as to remove as completely as possible any stress caused by the action of swell on the tank surface without allowing the stored liquid to escape through its openings.
  • An immersible tank for the storage of liquids having a density lower than water and notably hydrocarbons which consists of a tubular peripheral fluid-tight caisson, means dividing said caisson into several compartments, a rigid cupola overlying and firmly connected at its perimeter to said caisson, and means for ballast-sinking said caisson after its transport by floating to the immersion site.
  • a tank as set forth in claim 1 having a series of passages communicating directly between the exterior and the interior of the tank, in the portion thereof which is constantly filled with water, that is, beneath the lowermost level of the liquid stored in the tank when the latter is filled, said passages being disposed in a zone where they are not likely, during their use, to become silted up or to stir up the bottom on which the tank rests when immersed.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Paleontology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Underground Structures, Protecting, Testing And Restoring Foundations (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
  • Revetment (AREA)
US535776A 1965-04-20 1966-03-21 Immersible tank with ballast means for its transport and immersion Expired - Lifetime US3385464A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR13833A FR1440762A (fr) 1965-04-20 1965-04-20 Réservoir immergé
FR45032A FR89383E (fr) 1965-04-20 1966-01-06 Réservoir immergé

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3385464A true US3385464A (en) 1968-05-28

Family

ID=26163245

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US535776A Expired - Lifetime US3385464A (en) 1965-04-20 1966-03-21 Immersible tank with ballast means for its transport and immersion

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3385464A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE677776A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE1684912A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DK (1) DK109379C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR89383E (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1074725A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
LU (1) LU50629A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL6605261A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3472033A (en) * 1966-10-26 1969-10-14 H J Gruy & Associates Inc Fluid storage apparatus
US3793842A (en) * 1971-03-05 1974-02-26 Sea Tank Co Self-stabilizing submarine tank
US3798915A (en) * 1972-03-06 1974-03-26 Exxon Production Research Co Offshore apparatus and installation technique
US3824942A (en) * 1972-01-17 1974-07-23 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Offshore underwater storage tank
US3835654A (en) * 1971-09-09 1974-09-17 Campenon Bernard Europe Submersible tanks containing oil or similar liquids
US3874180A (en) * 1971-01-18 1975-04-01 Maurice N Sumner Modular offshore structure system
US3948056A (en) * 1972-04-13 1976-04-06 Sumner Maurice N Modular offshore structure system
US3974657A (en) * 1972-04-13 1976-08-17 Sumner Maurice N Modular offshore structure system
US4239417A (en) * 1977-11-23 1980-12-16 A/S Hoyer-Ellefsen, Ing. T. Furuholmen A/S Multi-purpose marine structure
US20130319533A1 (en) * 2012-06-04 2013-12-05 Waterbox Oy Method and apparatus for lifting of a mass of water
US10894660B2 (en) 2010-02-15 2021-01-19 Yehuda Kahane Ltd Underwater energy storage system and power station powered therewith

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2700594B1 (de) * 2012-08-24 2015-04-08 HOCHTIEF Solutions AG Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Unterwasserspeichers

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR655752A (fr) * 1927-10-25 1929-04-23 Réservoir pour l'emmagasinement de liquides non miscibles, et d'une densité inférieure, à l'eau
US2924350A (en) * 1957-04-23 1960-02-09 David M Greer Storage tanks for liquids
US2977018A (en) * 1960-03-04 1961-03-28 Filmore O Frye Underwater fuel storage
GB880039A (en) * 1959-04-30 1961-10-18 Wm Neill & Son St Helens Ltd Improvements in or relating to storage tanks and floats therefor

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR655752A (fr) * 1927-10-25 1929-04-23 Réservoir pour l'emmagasinement de liquides non miscibles, et d'une densité inférieure, à l'eau
US2924350A (en) * 1957-04-23 1960-02-09 David M Greer Storage tanks for liquids
GB880039A (en) * 1959-04-30 1961-10-18 Wm Neill & Son St Helens Ltd Improvements in or relating to storage tanks and floats therefor
US2977018A (en) * 1960-03-04 1961-03-28 Filmore O Frye Underwater fuel storage

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3472033A (en) * 1966-10-26 1969-10-14 H J Gruy & Associates Inc Fluid storage apparatus
US3874180A (en) * 1971-01-18 1975-04-01 Maurice N Sumner Modular offshore structure system
US3793842A (en) * 1971-03-05 1974-02-26 Sea Tank Co Self-stabilizing submarine tank
US3835654A (en) * 1971-09-09 1974-09-17 Campenon Bernard Europe Submersible tanks containing oil or similar liquids
US3824942A (en) * 1972-01-17 1974-07-23 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Offshore underwater storage tank
US3798915A (en) * 1972-03-06 1974-03-26 Exxon Production Research Co Offshore apparatus and installation technique
US3948056A (en) * 1972-04-13 1976-04-06 Sumner Maurice N Modular offshore structure system
US3974657A (en) * 1972-04-13 1976-08-17 Sumner Maurice N Modular offshore structure system
US4239417A (en) * 1977-11-23 1980-12-16 A/S Hoyer-Ellefsen, Ing. T. Furuholmen A/S Multi-purpose marine structure
US10894660B2 (en) 2010-02-15 2021-01-19 Yehuda Kahane Ltd Underwater energy storage system and power station powered therewith
US20130319533A1 (en) * 2012-06-04 2013-12-05 Waterbox Oy Method and apparatus for lifting of a mass of water
US9051168B2 (en) * 2012-06-04 2015-06-09 Waterbox Oy Method and apparatus for lifting of a mass of water

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL6605261A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1966-10-21
DK109379C (da) 1968-04-16
BE677776A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1966-08-01
FR89383E (fr) 1967-06-16
DE1684912A1 (de) 1970-04-23
LU50629A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1966-05-11
GB1074725A (en) 1967-07-05

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