US3760971A - Liquid cryogen storage tank for shore, ship or barge - Google Patents

Liquid cryogen storage tank for shore, ship or barge Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3760971A
US3760971A US3760971DA US3760971A US 3760971 A US3760971 A US 3760971A US 3760971D A US3760971D A US 3760971DA US 3760971 A US3760971 A US 3760971A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
blocks
container
layer
insulating
interior
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
Inventor
E Sterrett
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.)
Marathon Oil Co
Original Assignee
Marathon Oil Co
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
Application filed by Marathon Oil Co filed Critical Marathon Oil Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3760971A publication Critical patent/US3760971A/en
Assigned to MARATHON OIL COMPANY, AN OH CORP reassignment MARATHON OIL COMPANY, AN OH CORP ASSIGNS THE ENTIRE INTEREST Assignors: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS 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
    • B65D81/00Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
    • B65D81/38Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation
    • B65D81/3802Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation rigid container in the form of a barrel or vat
    • B65D81/3811Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents with thermal insulation rigid container in the form of a barrel or vat formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17CVESSELS 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
    • F17C13/00Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/001Thermal insulation specially adapted for cryogenic vessels
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17CVESSELS 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
    • F17C2203/00Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/03Thermal insulations
    • F17C2203/0304Thermal insulations by solid means
    • F17C2203/0308Radiation shield
    • F17C2203/032Multi-sheet layers
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17CVESSELS 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
    • F17C2203/00Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/03Thermal insulations
    • F17C2203/0304Thermal insulations by solid means
    • F17C2203/0345Fibres
    • F17C2203/035Glass wool
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17CVESSELS 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
    • F17C2203/00Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0636Metals
    • F17C2203/0639Steels
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17CVESSELS 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
    • F17C2203/00Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0658Synthetics
    • F17C2203/066Plastics
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17CVESSELS 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
    • F17C2203/00Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0678Concrete
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17CVESSELS 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
    • F17C2221/00Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03Mixtures
    • F17C2221/032Hydrocarbons
    • F17C2221/033Methane, e.g. natural gas, CNG, LNG, GNL, GNC, PLNG
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17CVESSELS 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
    • F17C2223/00Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0146Two-phase
    • F17C2223/0153Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • F17C2223/0161Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17CVESSELS 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
    • F17C2223/00Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/033Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17CVESSELS 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
    • F17C2260/00Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/03Dealing with losses
    • F17C2260/031Dealing with losses due to heat transfer
    • F17C2260/033Dealing with losses due to heat transfer by enhancing insulation
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17CVESSELS 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
    • F17C2270/00Applications
    • F17C2270/01Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0105Ships
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17CVESSELS 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
    • F17C2270/00Applications
    • F17C2270/01Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/011Barges
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S220/00Receptacles
    • Y10S220/901Liquified gas content, cryogenic
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/249921Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component
    • Y10T428/249953Composite having voids in a component [e.g., porous, cellular, etc.]
    • Y10T428/249981Plural void-containing components
    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/249921Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component
    • Y10T428/249953Composite having voids in a component [e.g., porous, cellular, etc.]
    • Y10T428/249982With component specified as adhesive or bonding agent
    • Y10T428/249985Composition of adhesive or bonding component specified

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A container for cryogenic fluids is described wherein a first layer of insulating blocks completely lines the interior of the container and at least a portion of one face of each block is bonded to the interior of the container by a cryogenic adhesive.
  • the sides of the insulating blocks have a contractable insulating material completely surrounding them.
  • At least a second layer of insulating blocks is bonded to the first layer of blocks; at least about 2 percent of the areas common to the faces of the first and second layers of blocks are bonded.
  • the sides of the second layer of blocks are surrounded by a contractable insulating material.
  • the face areas common to the blocks that are not bonded preferably have a substantially non-friction material attached thereto.
  • the layers of blocks are arranged so that there are no direct heat paths to the walls of the container.
  • a membrane of Mylar polyester film completely covers the interior of the container and is sufficiently bondedto the interior layer of blocks to support the Mylar film.
  • another layer of insulating blocks can be bonded to the Mylar film and then another layer of Mylar film bonded to this layer of blocksthis is preferred for containers used in transporting cryogen. Where the container is stationary, the top of the container does not have to have the membrane of Mylar film.
  • This invention relates to internally insulated containers for the confinement of cryogenic fluids and more specifically to a load-bearing insulating material that does not permit direct heat path to the container walls. On the interior of the insulating blocks, a membrane of Mylar film is bonded to the insulating blocks. The container can be used to transport cryogen or contain cryogen in a stationary position. v
  • U. S. Pat. No. 2,859,895 to Beckwith teaches a method of insulating the shell of a methane storage tank.
  • the insulation is defined as a wall made of a multiplicity of separate blocks or strips or panels of a light, permeable, preferably straight-grained, natural or synthetic wood-like material having a high insulating factor.
  • the blocks are mounted on the walls by glue and are staggered so that the glue planes are not uninterrupted.
  • U. S. Pat. No. 3,136,135 to Rigby et al. teaches-the use of foamed polyvinyl chloride or foamed polystyrene to insulate a tanker for shipping liquefied natural gas.
  • U. S. Pat. No. 3,367,527 to Darlington teaches a cryogenic container internally insulated with moisturefree insulating blocks (blocks can be encapsulated in a plastic material, e.g., polyurethane).
  • the blocks lie in juxtaposition with adjoining faces abutting. One face of the block is secured to the interior of the shell and the remaining faces are independent of the adjoining insulating blocks.
  • a membrane of Mylar film completely lining the exposed face of the second layer of blocks and attached thereto by adhering with a cryogenic adhesive at least 2 percent of the area common to the block and the Mylar film.
  • the insulating blocks are self-supporting. Differential expansion of the insulating blocks is accommodated by the contractable and expandable insulating material is supported by the insulating blocks.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross section of the container wall with layers of insulating blocks and a layer of Mylar film.
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of the insulating blocks showing how the blocks overlap other insulating blocks so that no direct paths of heat are permitted to the container wall.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred way of bonding layers of Mylar film together.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a preferred container wherein one layerof Mylar film is sandwiched between insulating blocks and then a final layer of Mylar film is attached to the exposed layer of insulating blocks.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross section of the container wall.
  • Wall 2 can be steel, concrete or like material. Such is representative of the container wall of, for instance, an ocean-going tanker to transport LNG (liquefied natural gas).
  • Interior of the wall 4 is connected to the face of the first layer of insulating blocks 6 by cryogenic adhesivebond 5.
  • Space 8 between blocks 6 is filled with a contractable and expandable insulating material such as sponge urethane, strips of fiberglass, or like materials.
  • the second layer of insulating blocks 10 is attached to thefirst layer of insulating blocks 6 by cryogenic adhesive bond 5. Also, the spaces 8 between the second layer of insulating blocks 10 are filled with the insulating material.
  • the areas common to the faces between the block that are not bonded can be coated with a substantially nonfriction material'at 7, e.g., Teflon or like material, to prevent abrasion between the blocks when thermal expansion and contraction moves the blocks.
  • a third layer of insulating blocks 12 are attached to the second layer of insulating blocks 10, via bonding at 5 the faces common to the blocks. Again, the space 8 between insulating blocks 12 is filled with the insulating material.
  • the layers of blocks 6, l0 and 12 are placed such that no direct heat passes are permitted to wall 4 of the container. Attached to the exposed face of insulating blocks 12 is a membrane or layer of Mylar film 14.
  • the membrane of Mylar film l4 is attached at 5 to the inside of insulating blocks 12 by a cryogenic adhesive.
  • Mylar 14 can be connected to other layers of Mylar film by overlapping as shown at 20.
  • the overlap of Mylar film is attached to the underlap of Mylar film by a cryogenic adhesive; other methods of joining the Mylar film are useful, e.g., thermal bonding.
  • Suction cups 16 can be previously countersunk flush to the face of insulation blocks 12 and bonded to the blocks, the cups useful to hold the Mylar film in place until the adhesive cures.
  • the Mylar film can be attached to other layers of Mylar film by folding back about 1/2 inch at the edge of each Mylar sheet and then locking these 180 folds together as shownin FIG. 3. Locking of the folds can be effected by cryogenic adhesive, thermal bonding, mechanical means, etc.
  • FIG. 2 is an inside view of the insulating blocks before the Mylar film is attached to the exposed face of insulating blocks 1.
  • FIG. 2 shows that the insulating blocks are arranged side by side and that they have space 8 between the sides of the blocks.
  • the third layer of insulating blocks 12 is staggered over the second layer of insulating blocks 10 and the latter blocks staggered over the first layer of insulating blocks 6 such that no direct pass of heat leak is permitted to wall 4.
  • Fastening means such as wood pegs 18 in FIG. 1 can be used to adjoin or fasten the faces of insulating blocks to each other and hold the blocks in place during the curing of the cryogenic adhesive.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention is that blocks 12 are smaller in area than blocks 10 and the latter blocks are smaller in area than blocks 6.
  • FIG. 4 represents a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • a first layer 6, second layer 10, and third layer 12 of insulation blocks and a membrane of Mylar film 14 are arranged as in FIG. 1, except that an additional membrane of Mylar film 15 is sandwiched between layers 10 and 12.
  • the faces of insulation blocks 10 and 12 that are common to the Mylar film are bonded to the sandwiched Mylar film layer 15.
  • This embodiment is preferred when the container is used to transport LNG, e. g., a ship.
  • Applicants invention teaches a novel method of cryogenic tank fabrication.
  • This method provides a means for differential expansion between insulating blocks and also provides a means of fastening the insulating blocks to the inside of the container.
  • the insulating blocks are arranged in such a manner as to prevent direct pass of heat leaks to the container wall.
  • Mylar film, or a like material completely covers the interior of container when the container is used to transport cryogen.
  • the container top may only need the insulation, i.e., the
  • the membrane of Mylar film is not necessary.
  • the insulating blocks support the Mylar film.
  • Mylar is a trademark of duPont I. dePont de Nemours and Co., Wilmington, Del. and identifies a polyethylene terephthalate resin. Thickness of the .Mylar polyester film useful with this invention can range from
  • the insulating blocks can be made of any material which has good insulating characteristics and which has a relatively low temperature coefficient of expansion. Examples of preferred materials include foamed polyvinyl chloride (this material has a low conductivity of heat and has high strength), foamed glass, foamed urethane, encapsulated perlite, and like materials.
  • the insulating material may be encapsulated by a protective covering, e.g. plywood, etc.
  • the insulating material must be absolutely free of water vapor.
  • a positive pressure of an inert gas (the gas is dehydrated) can be maintained within the space containing the insulating blocks.
  • the insulating blocks are adhered or bonded to the inside wall of the container, to adjoining insulating blocks and to the Mylar film by a cryogenic adhesive.
  • the adhesive has a high tensile strength, e. g. 8000 psi and higher at the cryogenic temperature.
  • cryogenic adhesives include 1) a twopart polyurethane mixture marketed by the Narmco Corp. of the Whittaker Corp, and composed of percent by weight formulation No. 7343 and 10 percent by weight of formulation No. 7139; 2) a two-part polyester mixture marketed by E. I. duPont de Nemours and Co., Wilmington, Del., U.S.A. composed of 97 percent by volume formulation No.
  • formulation No. RC 805 96990 and 3 percent by volume of formulation No. RC 805; 3) a two-part polyurethane mixture marketed by the CPR division of The Upjohn Company, 7171 Portage Rd., Kalamazoo, Mich., composed 90 percent by weight formulation CPR 2050 and 10 percent by weight formulation MOCA; 4) formulation No. G207 marketed by The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Akron, Ohio, and like materials.
  • the areas between the container walls and the faces of the insulation blocks and between the faces of the blocks that need be bonded are only the areas needed to support the insulation blocks and the Mylar film. All of the area, ie 100 percent, is desirably not bonded since such would not permit much freedom of movement during thermal expansion and contraction. It is preferred that at least about 2 percent of the areas common to the interior wall and first layer of blocks and to the layers of blocks and to the insulating blocks and Mylar film be bonded. Also, each block must be bonded to the wall of the container and thereafter each block bonded to at least one block it overlays.
  • the insulating blocks are attached one to the other by the cryogenic adhesive. Sufficient bonding is needed to transferthe load (weight of Mylar film and blocks) from the outer-tank to the inner-tank.
  • the spaces between the blocks are filled with contractable and expandable insulation material, e.g., sponged urethane, fiberglass, etc. Such accommodates the differential expansion of the blocks.
  • the space should be sufiiciently wide to permit expansion and contraction of the blocks over the operating temperature range of the container without shearing the blocks from the walls of the container or other blocks.
  • temperature ranges include ambient temperature'(e.g. 72F) to about -350F and preferably about 72.F to about -320F. and more preferably about 72F to about 260F at atmospheric pressure.
  • the blocks are arranged one over the other, or the layers of blocks staggered so that no direct pass of heat is permitted in case of a leak. That is, the second layer of blocks is placed onto the first layer of insulating blocks in an offset pattern" such that the joints do not line up with each other, see FIG. 2. Also, each block within the second layer is bonded to at least one block in the first layer of insulating blocks. As mentioned earlier, at least about 2 percent of each face area of the blocks is bonded.
  • the non-bonded surfaces of the face areas common to the insulating blocks can be coated with a substantially non-friction material, e.g., Teflon film or like material to prevent abrasion between the layers of insulating blocks as they expand and contract due to temperature changes, i.e., as the blocks move relative to each other.
  • a substantially non-friction material e.g., Teflon film or like material to prevent abrasion between the layers of insulating blocks as they expand and contract due to temperature changes, i.e., as the blocks move relative to each other.
  • the exposed face of the last layer of insulating block is covered with a membrane of Mylar film.
  • a membrane of Mylar film may be sandwiched between the insulating blocks.
  • the Mylar film is preferably about 0.5 to about 3 mils thick.
  • the Mylar film may be joined together by overlapping one Mylar film layer over another layer of Mylar film and then bonding the contiguous surface with a cryogenic adhesive, or the Mylar film may be joined by a thermal melting procedure whereby a hot iron or hot gas is used to join two Mylar films. Besides lapping the joints of Mylar film and then bonding them, it may be advantageous to use mechanical means to join the Mylar film.
  • Such can be accomplished by folding back about inch on the edge of each Mylar sheet and then locking the 180 folds together as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the locking can be effected by mechanical means, or a cryogenic adhesive or any suitable means.
  • the Mylar film can be securely held in position by suction cups countersunk into the insulating blocks and flush with the insulating blocks, the cups supporting the Mylar film while the cryogenic adhesive is curing. Only a portion of the area contiguous to the layer of insulating blocks and Mylar film is coated with the adhesive, the minimum area being that which is needed to support the Mylar film. At least about 2 percent of the Mylar area is sufficient.
  • the Mylar film membrane can be fabricated in the form of a sack external to the inner layer of insulating blocks and then inserted into the shell-insulation container. Support for the sack can be effected by fastening the top of the sack to the top rim of the shellinsulation container or by spot adhesive application to the inner layer of insulating blocks.
  • the insulating blocks can be joined with wooden pegs. Also, the insulating blocks contiguous to the interior of the tank can be joined with wooden pegs, e.g., such pegs may be previously bonded to the interior of the wall. Such is helpful in temporarily supporting the blocks while the adhesive cures.
  • the container can be any building material which provides sufficient structural strength to contain the cryogenic material; Examples include reinforced concrete, steel, alloys, synthetic materials such as plastics, etc. Reinforced concrete is the preferred construction material for barges since the weight of the concrete provides ballast. Also, the barge can substitute for shore storage and the cryogen replenished merely by shuttling barges.
  • the insulating blocks closer to the cryogen are smaller in area than the blocks contiguous to the shell of the container-such a design will permit a larger degree of thermal expansion and contraction next to the cryogen.
  • the larger insulating blocks, i.e. the blocks contiguous to the shell of the container will still have sufficient capability to expand and contract although the degree of expansion and contraction will not be as great as the insulating blocks closer to the cryogen.
  • the intermediate layer of blocks has an area intermediate in size of the smaller and larger area blocks. This is preferred since the insulating blocks closer to the cryogen will necessarily have a larger degree of expansion and contraction than the insulating blocks removed from the cryogen.
  • FIG. 4 is a preferred design.
  • a container for the confinement of cryogenic fluids comprising:
  • a membrane of Mylar polyester film lining at least the walls and the bottom of the interior of the second layer of the insulating blocks and attached thereto by bonding with a cryogenic adhesive at least a sufficient portion of the area common to the blocks and the Mylar film to support the Mylar film.
  • the container of claim 1 wherein the insulating block is either foamed polyvinyl chloride, foamed glass, or foamed urethane.
  • a container for the confinement of cryogenic fluids comprising:
  • a shell 2. a first layer of insulating blocks completely lining the interior wall of the shell, at least a portion of one face of each block bonded by a cryogenic adhesive to the interior of the shell and the blocks arranged side by side, the blocks having sufficient space between them to permit expansion and contraction of the blocks over a temperature range of about 72F to about -350F. without shearing the blocks from the interior wall,
  • a second layer of insulating blocks completely linin g the interior of the first layer of insulating blocks and arranged over said first layer so that no direct path of heat loss is permitted to the shell of the container, the blocks arranged side by side with sufficient space as defined in 2),
  • a membrane of Mylar polyester film completely lining the interior of the third layer of the insulating blocks and attached thereto by bonding with a cryogenic adhesive at least a sufficient portion of the area common to the third layer of blocks and the Mylar film to support the Mylar film.
  • the container of claim 10 wherein the insulating blocks are composed of either foamed polyvinyl chloride, foamed glass or foamed urethane.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)

Abstract

A container for cryogenic fluids is described wherein a first layer of insulating blocks completely lines the interior of the container and at least a portion of one face of each block is bonded to the interior of the container by a cryogenic adhesive. The sides of the insulating blocks have a contractable insulating material completely surrounding them. At least a second layer of insulating blocks is bonded to the first layer of blocks; at least about 2 percent of the areas common to the faces of the first and second layers of blocks are bonded. The sides of the second layer of blocks are surrounded by a contractable insulating material. The face areas common to the blocks that are not bonded preferably have a substantially non-friction material attached thereto. The layers of blocks are arranged so that there are no direct heat paths to the walls of the container. A membrane of Mylar polyester film completely covers the interior of the container and is sufficiently bonded to the interior layer of blocks to support the Mylar film. Optionally, another layer of insulating blocks can be bonded to the Mylar film and then another layer of Mylar film bonded to this layer of blocks-this is preferred for containers used in transporting cryogen. Where the container is stationary, the top of the container does not have to have the membrane of Mylar film.

Description

United States Patent 1 Sterrett Sept. 25, 1973 1 LIQUID CRYOGEN STORAGE TANK FOR SHORE, SIIIP OR BARGE [75] Inventor: Eugene L. Sterrett, Findlay, Ohio [73] Assignee: Marathon Oil Company, Findlay,
Ohio
[22] Filed: I Oct. 12,1971
[21] Appl. No.: 188,040
Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 21,574, March 23,
1970, Pat. NO. 3,682,346.
Primary Examiner-Samuel B. Rothberg Assistant ExaminerAllan N. Shoap Attorney-Joseph C. Herring et a1.
[57] ABSTRACT A container for cryogenic fluids is described wherein a first layer of insulating blocks completely lines the interior of the container and at least a portion of one face of each block is bonded to the interior of the container by a cryogenic adhesive. The sides of the insulating blocks have a contractable insulating material completely surrounding them. At least a second layer of insulating blocks is bonded to the first layer of blocks; at least about 2 percent of the areas common to the faces of the first and second layers of blocks are bonded. The sides of the second layer of blocks are surrounded by a contractable insulating material. The face areas common to the blocks that are not bonded preferably have a substantially non-friction material attached thereto. The layers of blocks are arranged so that there are no direct heat paths to the walls of the container. A membrane of Mylar polyester film completely covers the interior of the container and is sufficiently bondedto the interior layer of blocks to support the Mylar film. Optionally, another layer of insulating blocks can be bonded to the Mylar film and then another layer of Mylar film bonded to this layer of blocksthis is preferred for containers used in transporting cryogen. Where the container is stationary, the top of the container does not have to have the membrane of Mylar film.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of my copending patent application, Ser. No. 21,574, filed March 23, 1970, now US. Pat. No. 3,682,346, issued Aug. 8, 1972.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to internally insulated containers for the confinement of cryogenic fluids and more specifically to a load-bearing insulating material that does not permit direct heat path to the container walls. On the interior of the insulating blocks, a membrane of Mylar film is bonded to the insulating blocks. The container can be used to transport cryogen or contain cryogen in a stationary position. v
2. Description of the Prior Art U. S. Pat. No. 2,859,895 to Beckwith teaches a method of insulating the shell of a methane storage tank. The insulation is defined as a wall made of a multiplicity of separate blocks or strips or panels of a light, permeable, preferably straight-grained, natural or synthetic wood-like material having a high insulating factor. The blocks are mounted on the walls by glue and are staggered so that the glue planes are not uninterrupted.
U. S. Pat. No. 3,106,307 to Morrison teaches a combination of a layer of air-laden polystyrene protecting an inner layer of freon-laden polyurethane.
U. S. Pat. No. 3,136,135 to Rigby et al. teaches-the use of foamed polyvinyl chloride or foamed polystyrene to insulate a tanker for shipping liquefied natural gas.
U. S. Pat. No. 3,367,492 to Pratt et al. teaches insulating the inner wall of an LNG tanker with foam encapsulated in fiberglass reinforced urethane material. The encapsulated foam is partitioned to form blocks and the blocks attached to the wall by mechanical means. The blocks are joined together by a joint assembly fastened to the blocks with grooves and adhesive.
U. S. Pat. No. 3,367,527 to Darlington teaches a cryogenic container internally insulated with moisturefree insulating blocks (blocks can be encapsulated in a plastic material, e.g., polyurethane). The blocks lie in juxtaposition with adjoining faces abutting. One face of the block is secured to the interior of the shell and the remaining faces are independent of the adjoining insulating blocks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Applicant has discovered a novel method of designing a cryogen tank that provides for differential expansion between insulating materials and at the same'time supports an interior layer of Mylar polyester film (Mylar is a trademark of E. I. duPont de Nemours and Co., Wilmington, Del. USA. This is accomplished by lining the inside of the container with:
l. a first layer of insulatinb blocks, one face of the blocks bonded to the interior wall of the container and the blocks arranged side by side, the blocks having sufiicient space between them to provide for expansion and contraction over a temperature range of about 72 to about 350 without shearing the blocks from the wall,
2. a contractable and expandable insulating material filling at least a portion of the space between the sides of the blocks,
3. at least a second layer of insulating blocks arranged over said first layer so that no direct paths of heat loss are permitted to the shell of the container, the blocks arranged side by side and spaced as in 1),
4. a contractable and expandable insulating material filling at least a portion of the space between the second layer of blocks,
5. the faces common to the blocks within the first and second layers bonded with a cryogenic adhesive on at least 2 percent of the area common to the faces, and
6. a membrane of Mylar film completely lining the exposed face of the second layer of blocks and attached thereto by adhering with a cryogenic adhesive at least 2 percent of the area common to the block and the Mylar film.
The insulating blocks are self-supporting. Differential expansion of the insulating blocks is accommodated by the contractable and expandable insulating material is supported by the insulating blocks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a cross section of the container wall with layers of insulating blocks and a layer of Mylar film.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the insulating blocks showing how the blocks overlap other insulating blocks so that no direct paths of heat are permitted to the container wall.
FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred way of bonding layers of Mylar film together.
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a preferred container wherein one layerof Mylar film is sandwiched between insulating blocks and then a final layer of Mylar film is attached to the exposed layer of insulating blocks.
FIG. 1 is a cross section of the container wall. Wall 2 can be steel, concrete or like material. Such is representative of the container wall of, for instance, an ocean-going tanker to transport LNG (liquefied natural gas). Interior of the wall 4 is connected to the face of the first layer of insulating blocks 6 by cryogenic adhesivebond 5. Space 8 between blocks 6 is filled with a contractable and expandable insulating material such as sponge urethane, strips of fiberglass, or like materials. The second layer of insulating blocks 10 is attached to thefirst layer of insulating blocks 6 by cryogenic adhesive bond 5. Also, the spaces 8 between the second layer of insulating blocks 10 are filled with the insulating material. The areas common to the faces between the block that are not bonded can be coated with a substantially nonfriction material'at 7, e.g., Teflon or like material, to prevent abrasion between the blocks when thermal expansion and contraction moves the blocks. Optionally, a third layer of insulating blocks 12 are attached to the second layer of insulating blocks 10, via bonding at 5 the faces common to the blocks. Again, the space 8 between insulating blocks 12 is filled with the insulating material. The layers of blocks 6, l0 and 12 are placed such that no direct heat passes are permitted to wall 4 of the container. Attached to the exposed face of insulating blocks 12 is a membrane or layer of Mylar film 14. The membrane of Mylar film l4 is attached at 5 to the inside of insulating blocks 12 by a cryogenic adhesive. Mylar 14 can be connected to other layers of Mylar film by overlapping as shown at 20. The overlap of Mylar film is attached to the underlap of Mylar film by a cryogenic adhesive; other methods of joining the Mylar film are useful, e.g., thermal bonding. Suction cups 16 can be previously countersunk flush to the face of insulation blocks 12 and bonded to the blocks, the cups useful to hold the Mylar film in place until the adhesive cures.
Optionally, the Mylar film can be attached to other layers of Mylar film by folding back about 1/2 inch at the edge of each Mylar sheet and then locking these 180 folds together as shownin FIG. 3. Locking of the folds can be effected by cryogenic adhesive, thermal bonding, mechanical means, etc.
FIG. 2 is an inside view of the insulating blocks before the Mylar film is attached to the exposed face of insulating blocks 1. FIG. 2 shows that the insulating blocks are arranged side by side and that they have space 8 between the sides of the blocks. The third layer of insulating blocks 12 is staggered over the second layer of insulating blocks 10 and the latter blocks staggered over the first layer of insulating blocks 6 such that no direct pass of heat leak is permitted to wall 4. Fastening means such as wood pegs 18 in FIG. 1 can be used to adjoin or fasten the faces of insulating blocks to each other and hold the blocks in place during the curing of the cryogenic adhesive. A preferred embodiment of the invention is that blocks 12 are smaller in area than blocks 10 and the latter blocks are smaller in area than blocks 6.
FIG. 4 represents a preferred embodiment of the invention. A first layer 6, second layer 10, and third layer 12 of insulation blocks and a membrane of Mylar film 14 are arranged as in FIG. 1, except that an additional membrane of Mylar film 15 is sandwiched between layers 10 and 12. The faces of insulation blocks 10 and 12 that are common to the Mylar film are bonded to the sandwiched Mylar film layer 15. This embodiment is preferred when the container is used to transport LNG, e. g., a ship.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Applicants invention teaches a novel method of cryogenic tank fabrication. This method provides a means for differential expansion between insulating blocks and also provides a means of fastening the insulating blocks to the inside of the container. The insulating blocks are arranged in such a manner as to prevent direct pass of heat leaks to the container wall. Mylar film, or a like material, completely covers the interior of container when the container is used to transport cryogen. When the container is a stationary insulation, the container top may only need the insulation, i.e., the
membrane of Mylar film is not necessary. The insulating blocks support the Mylar film.
Mylar is a trademark of duPont I. dePont de Nemours and Co., Wilmington, Del. and identifies a polyethylene terephthalate resin. Thickness of the .Mylar polyester film useful with this invention can range from The insulating blocks can be made of any material which has good insulating characteristics and which has a relatively low temperature coefficient of expansion. Examples of preferred materials include foamed polyvinyl chloride (this material has a low conductivity of heat and has high strength), foamed glass, foamed urethane, encapsulated perlite, and like materials. The insulating material may be encapsulated by a protective covering, e.g. plywood, etc. The insulating material must be absolutely free of water vapor. Optionally, a positive pressure of an inert gas (the gas is dehydrated) can be maintained within the space containing the insulating blocks.
The insulating blocks are adhered or bonded to the inside wall of the container, to adjoining insulating blocks and to the Mylar film by a cryogenic adhesive. Preferably, the adhesive has a high tensile strength, e. g. 8000 psi and higher at the cryogenic temperature. Examples of useful cryogenic adhesives include 1) a twopart polyurethane mixture marketed by the Narmco Corp. of the Whittaker Corp, and composed of percent by weight formulation No. 7343 and 10 percent by weight of formulation No. 7139; 2) a two-part polyester mixture marketed by E. I. duPont de Nemours and Co., Wilmington, Del., U.S.A. composed of 97 percent by volume formulation No. 96990 and 3 percent by volume of formulation No. RC 805; 3) a two-part polyurethane mixture marketed by the CPR division of The Upjohn Company, 7171 Portage Rd., Kalamazoo, Mich., composed 90 percent by weight formulation CPR 2050 and 10 percent by weight formulation MOCA; 4) formulation No. G207 marketed by The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Akron, Ohio, and like materials.
The areas between the container walls and the faces of the insulation blocks and between the faces of the blocks that need be bonded are only the areas needed to support the insulation blocks and the Mylar film. All of the area, ie 100 percent, is desirably not bonded since such would not permit much freedom of movement during thermal expansion and contraction. It is preferred that at least about 2 percent of the areas common to the interior wall and first layer of blocks and to the layers of blocks and to the insulating blocks and Mylar film be bonded. Also, each block must be bonded to the wall of the container and thereafter each block bonded to at least one block it overlays.
The insulating blocks are attached one to the other by the cryogenic adhesive. Sufficient bonding is needed to transferthe load (weight of Mylar film and blocks) from the outer-tank to the inner-tank.
The spaces between the blocks are filled with contractable and expandable insulation material, e.g., sponged urethane, fiberglass, etc. Such accommodates the differential expansion of the blocks. The space should be sufiiciently wide to permit expansion and contraction of the blocks over the operating temperature range of the container without shearing the blocks from the walls of the container or other blocks. Examples of temperature ranges include ambient temperature'(e.g. 72F) to about -350F and preferably about 72.F to about -320F. and more preferably about 72F to about 260F at atmospheric pressure.
The blocks are arranged one over the other, or the layers of blocks staggered so that no direct pass of heat is permitted in case of a leak. That is, the second layer of blocks is placed onto the first layer of insulating blocks in an offset pattern" such that the joints do not line up with each other, see FIG. 2. Also, each block within the second layer is bonded to at least one block in the first layer of insulating blocks. As mentioned earlier, at least about 2 percent of each face area of the blocks is bonded. The non-bonded surfaces of the face areas common to the insulating blocks can be coated with a substantially non-friction material, e.g., Teflon film or like material to prevent abrasion between the layers of insulating blocks as they expand and contract due to temperature changes, i.e., as the blocks move relative to each other.
After the insulating blocks are attached, the exposed face of the last layer of insulating block is covered with a membrane of Mylar film. Also, a membrane of Mylar film may be sandwiched between the insulating blocks. The Mylar film is preferably about 0.5 to about 3 mils thick. The Mylar film may be joined together by overlapping one Mylar film layer over another layer of Mylar film and then bonding the contiguous surface with a cryogenic adhesive, or the Mylar film may be joined by a thermal melting procedure whereby a hot iron or hot gas is used to join two Mylar films. Besides lapping the joints of Mylar film and then bonding them, it may be advantageous to use mechanical means to join the Mylar film. Such can be accomplished by folding back about inch on the edge of each Mylar sheet and then locking the 180 folds together as shown in FIG. 3. The locking can be effected by mechanical means, or a cryogenic adhesive or any suitable means. The Mylar film can be securely held in position by suction cups countersunk into the insulating blocks and flush with the insulating blocks, the cups supporting the Mylar film while the cryogenic adhesive is curing. Only a portion of the area contiguous to the layer of insulating blocks and Mylar film is coated with the adhesive, the minimum area being that which is needed to support the Mylar film. At least about 2 percent of the Mylar area is sufficient.
The Mylar film membrane can be fabricated in the form of a sack external to the inner layer of insulating blocks and then inserted into the shell-insulation container. Support for the sack can be effected by fastening the top of the sack to the top rim of the shellinsulation container or by spot adhesive application to the inner layer of insulating blocks.
The insulating blocks can be joined with wooden pegs. Also, the insulating blocks contiguous to the interior of the tank can be joined with wooden pegs, e.g., such pegs may be previously bonded to the interior of the wall. Such is helpful in temporarily supporting the blocks while the adhesive cures.
The container can be any building material which provides sufficient structural strength to contain the cryogenic material; Examples include reinforced concrete, steel, alloys, synthetic materials such as plastics, etc. Reinforced concrete is the preferred construction material for barges since the weight of the concrete provides ballast. Also, the barge can substitute for shore storage and the cryogen replenished merely by shuttling barges.
A minimum of two layers of the insulating blocks is recommended with this invention. However, three layers is preferred and more than three layers are useful for certain cases. It is evident that the temperature differential between the outside of the container and cryogen will govern the number of insulating block layers as well as the thickness of the insulating blocks. Preferably, the insulating blocks closer to the cryogen are smaller in area than the blocks contiguous to the shell of the container-such a design will permit a larger degree of thermal expansion and contraction next to the cryogen. The larger insulating blocks, i.e. the blocks contiguous to the shell of the container, will still have sufficient capability to expand and contract although the degree of expansion and contraction will not be as great as the insulating blocks closer to the cryogen. Preferably the intermediate layer of blocks has an area intermediate in size of the smaller and larger area blocks. This is preferred since the insulating blocks closer to the cryogen will necessarily have a larger degree of expansion and contraction than the insulating blocks removed from the cryogen.
Where the container is to be used on a ship, it is preferred that a membrane of Mylar film be sandwiched between the layers of insulation blocks and then a membrane of Mylar film completely line the exposed face of the first layer of insulating blocks. For example, FIG. 4 is a preferred design.
It is intended that all equivalents obvious to those skilled in the art be incorporated within the scope of the invention as defined within the specification and appended claims.
What is claimed is:
-l. A container for the confinement of cryogenic fluids comprising:
I. an outer shell,
2. a first layer of a plurality of insulatingblocks lining the interior of the shell, at least about 2 percent of the face area of one side of each block is bonded with a cryogenic adhesive to the interior of the shell and the blocks arranged side by side, the blocks having sufficient space between the sides of the blocks to permit expansion and contraction of the blocks over the operating temperature range of the container without shearing the blocks from the interior of the shell,
3. a contractable and expandable insulating material completely surrounding each block and filling at least a portion of the space between the sides of the blocks,
4. at least a second layer of a plurality of insulating blocks lining the interior of the first layer of blocks and arranged over said first layer so that no direct path of heat loss is permitted to the shell of the container, the blocks arranged side by side as in 2) and at least 2 percent of the face area of each block contiguous to the face of the block within the first layer are bonded with a cryogenic adhesive to the first layer of blocks,
5. a contractable and expandable insulating material surrounding the second layer of insulating blocks and filling at least a portion of the space between the blocks, and
6. a membrane of Mylar polyester film lining at least the walls and the bottom of the interior of the second layer of the insulating blocks and attached thereto by bonding with a cryogenic adhesive at least a sufficient portion of the area common to the blocks and the Mylar film to support the Mylar film.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein at least three layers of insulating blocks are attached to the interior of the shell.
3. The container of claim 2 wherein a membrane of Mylar film is sandwiched between the second and third layers and is bonded to portions of each insulating block face common to the Mylar film.
4. The container of claim 1 wherein the contractable and expandable insulating material completely surrounds each insulating block and is flush with the sides of the blocks.
5. The container of claim 1 wherein the insulating block is either foamed polyvinyl chloride, foamed glass, or foamed urethane.
6. The container of claim 1 wherein the insulating blocks closer to the Mylar film are smaller in area than the first layer of insulating blocks.
7. The container of claim 1 wherein the operating temperature range of the container is about 72F to about 350F.
8. The container of claim 1 wherein the operating temperature range of the container is about 72F to about -260F.
9. The container of claim 1 wherein the Mylar film completely lines the interior of the second layer of insulating blocks.
10. A container for the confinement of cryogenic fluids comprising:
1. a shell 2. a first layer of insulating blocks completely lining the interior wall of the shell, at least a portion of one face of each block bonded by a cryogenic adhesive to the interior of the shell and the blocks arranged side by side, the blocks having sufficient space between them to permit expansion and contraction of the blocks over a temperature range of about 72F to about -350F. without shearing the blocks from the interior wall,
3. a second layer of insulating blocks completely linin g the interior of the first layer of insulating blocks and arranged over said first layer so that no direct path of heat loss is permitted to the shell of the container, the blocks arranged side by side with sufficient space as defined in 2),
4. a third layer of insulating blocks completely lining the interior of the second layer of insulating blocks so that no direct path of heat loss is permitted to the shell of the container, the blocks arranged side by side with sufiicient space as defined in 2),
5. a contractable and expandable insulating material completely surrounding each block within the first, second, and third layers of blocks and filling at least a portion of the space between the blocks within these layers,
6. at least about 2 percent of the face areas of each block within the first, second, and third layers of blocks that are common to each other are bonded with a cryogenic adhesive, and
7. a membrane of Mylar polyester film completely lining the interior of the third layer of the insulating blocks and attached thereto by bonding with a cryogenic adhesive at least a sufficient portion of the area common to the third layer of blocks and the Mylar film to support the Mylar film.
11. The container of claim 10 wherein the operating temperature range is about 72F to about 260F.
12. The container of claim 10 wherein the contractable and expandable insulating material that completely surrounds the blocks is flush with the sides of the blocks.
13. The container of claim 10 wherein the insulating blocks are composed of either foamed polyvinyl chloride, foamed glass or foamed urethane.
14. The container of claim 10 wherein the insulating blocks closest to the Mylar film are smaller in area than the insulating blocks adhered to the interior of the shell.
15. The container of claim 10 wherein a membrane of Mylar film is sandwiched between the second and third layers of insulating blocks and at least 2 percent of the areas common to each face of the blocks and Mylar film are bonded with a cryogenic adhesive.

Claims (25)

  1. 2. a first layer of insulating blocks completely lining the interior wall of the shell, at least a portion of one face of each block bonded by a cryogenic adhesive to the interior of the shell and the blocks arranged side by side, the blocks havIng sufficient space between them to permit expansion and contraction of the blocks over a temperature range of about 72*F to about -350*F. without shearing the blocks from the interior wall,
  2. 2. The container of claim 1 wherein at least three layers of insulating blocks are attached to the interior of the shell.
  3. 2. a first layer of a plurality of insulating blocks lining the interior of the she l, at least about 2 percent of the face area of one side of each block is bonded with a cryogenic adhesive to the interior of the shell and the blocks arranged side by side, the blocks having sufficient space between the sides of the blocks to permit expansion and contraction of the blocks over the operating temperature range of the container without shearing the blocks from the interior of the shell,
  4. 3. a contractable and expandable insulating material completely surrounding each block and filling at least a portion of the space between the sides of the blocks,
  5. 3. The container of claim 2 wherein a membrane of Mylar film is sandwiched between the second and third layers and is bonded to portions of each insulating block face common to the Mylar film.
  6. 3. a second layer of insulating blocks completely lining the interior of the first layer of insulating blocks and arranged over said first layer so that no direct path of heat loss is permitted to the shell of the container, the blocks arranged side by side with sufficient space as defined in ''''2)'''',
  7. 4. a third layer of insulating blocks completely lining the interior of the second layer of insulating blocks so that no direct path of heat loss is permitted to the shell of the container, the blocks arranged side by side with sufficient space as defined in ''''2)'''',
  8. 4. The container of claim 1 wherein the contractable and expandable insulating material completely surrounds each insulating block and is flush with the sides of the blocks.
  9. 4. at least a second layer of a plurality of insulating blocks lining the interior of the first layer of blocks and arranged over said first layer so that no direct path of heat loss is permitted to the shell of the container, the blocks arranged side by side as in ''''2)'''' and at least 2 percent of the face area of each block contiguous to the face of the block within the first layer are bonded with a cryogenic adhesive to the first layer of blocks,
  10. 5. a contractable and expandable insulating material surrounding the second layer of insulating blocks and filling at least a portion of the space between the blocks, and
  11. 5. The container of claim 1 wherein the insulating block is either foamed polyvinyl chloride, foamed glass, or foamed urethane.
  12. 5. a contractable and expandable insulating material completely surrounding each block within the first, second, and third layers of blocks and filling at least a portion of the space between the blocks within these layers,
  13. 6. at least about 2 percent of the face areas of each block within the first, second, and third layers of blocks that are common to each other are bonded with a cryogenic adhesive, and
  14. 6. The container of claim 1 wherein the insulating blocks closer to the Mylar film are smaller in area than the first layer of insulating blocks.
  15. 6. a membrane of Mylar polyester film lining at least the walls and the bottom of the interior of the second layer of the insulating blocks and attached thereto by bonding with a cryogenic adhesive at least a sufficient portion of the area common to the blocks and the Mylar film to support the Mylar film.
  16. 7. a membrane of Mylar polyester film completely lining the interior of the third layer of the insulating blocks and attached thereto by bonding with a cryogenic adhesive at least a sufficient portion of the area common to the third layer of blocks and the Mylar film to support the Mylar film.
  17. 7. The container of claim 1 wherein the operating temperature range of the container is about 72*F to about -350*F.
  18. 8. The container of claim 1 wherein the operating temperature range of the container is about 72*F to about -260*F.
  19. 9. The container of claim 1 wherein the Mylar film completely lines the interior of the second layer of insulating blocks.
  20. 10. A container for the confinement of cryogenic fluids comprising:
  21. 11. The container of claim 10 wherein the operating temperature range is about 72*F to about -260*F.
  22. 12. The container of claim 10 wherein the contractable and expandable insulating material that completely surrounds the blocks is flush with the sides of the blocks.
  23. 13. The container of claim 10 wherein the insulating blocks are composed of either foamed polyvinyl chloride, foamed glass or foamed urethane.
  24. 14. The container of claim 10 wherein the insulating blocks closest to the Mylar film are smaller in area than the insulating blocks adhered to the interior of the shell.
  25. 15. The container of claim 10 wherein a membrane of Mylar film is sandwiched between the second and third layers of insulating blocks and at least 2 percent of the areas common to each face of the blocks and Mylar film are bonded with a cryogenic adhesive.
US3760971D 1970-03-23 1971-10-12 Liquid cryogen storage tank for shore, ship or barge Expired - Lifetime US3760971A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US2157470A 1970-03-23 1970-03-23
US18804071A 1971-10-12 1971-10-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3760971A true US3760971A (en) 1973-09-25

Family

ID=26694850

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US3682346D Expired - Lifetime US3682346A (en) 1970-03-23 1970-03-23 Liquid cryogen storage tank for shore, ship or barge
US3760971D Expired - Lifetime US3760971A (en) 1970-03-23 1971-10-12 Liquid cryogen storage tank for shore, ship or barge

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US3682346D Expired - Lifetime US3682346A (en) 1970-03-23 1970-03-23 Liquid cryogen storage tank for shore, ship or barge

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (2) US3682346A (en)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3894372A (en) * 1973-01-08 1975-07-15 Baltek Corp Cryogenic insulating panel system
DE2814089A1 (en) * 1978-04-01 1979-10-04 Thyssen Industrie REFRIGERATION CONTAINER
EP0051865A2 (en) * 1980-11-10 1982-05-19 KAEFER Isoliertechnik GmbH & Co. KG Thermal insulation
US4461398A (en) * 1981-02-20 1984-07-24 Technigaz Storage tank for cryogenic liquefied gases such in particular as hydrogen
EP0145371A2 (en) * 1983-12-07 1985-06-19 Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Cellular ceramic insulating body and method for making same
US4623585A (en) * 1983-12-07 1986-11-18 Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Cellular ceramic insulating body and method for making same
FR2586083A1 (en) * 1985-08-06 1987-02-13 Gaz Transport Method and device for improving the thermal insulation of a sealed and thermally insulating container intended for the storage of a liquefied gas
US4660594A (en) * 1985-08-05 1987-04-28 Gocze Thomas E Portable collapsible tank for storing liquid
EP0261033A1 (en) * 1986-09-18 1988-03-23 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Insulating structure
US5129544A (en) * 1990-11-08 1992-07-14 Jacobson Wendell L Laminated fuel tank structure
US5419139A (en) * 1993-12-13 1995-05-30 Martin Marietta Corporation Composite cryogenic tank apparatus
WO2004029501A1 (en) * 2002-09-25 2004-04-08 Løgstør Rør A/S An insulated pipe and a mehtod for manufacturing an insulated pipe
KR20150143546A (en) * 2013-04-15 2015-12-23 가즈트랑스포르 에 떼끄니가즈 Sealed and thermally insulated tank
EP3323754A1 (en) * 2016-11-18 2018-05-23 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Vacuum heat-insulating container
US11559964B2 (en) * 2019-06-06 2023-01-24 Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation Composite structures, composite storage tanks, vehicles including such composite storage tanks, and related systems and methods

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3682346A (en) * 1970-03-23 1972-08-08 Marathon Oil Co Liquid cryogen storage tank for shore, ship or barge
US3782581A (en) * 1971-12-27 1974-01-01 Phillips Petroleum Co Fluid containment system
US3929247A (en) * 1973-07-11 1975-12-30 Kaiser Aluminium Chem Corp Cryogenic tank
US4116150A (en) * 1976-03-09 1978-09-26 Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation Cryogenic insulation system
FR2527544B1 (en) * 1982-06-01 1987-01-09 Gaz Transport WATERPROOF AND THERMALLY INSULATING TANK INTEGRATED INTO THE CARRIER STRUCTURE OF A VESSEL AND VESSEL COMPRISING SAME
JPH0723760B2 (en) * 1983-05-09 1995-03-15 ザ ダウ ケミカル カンパニ− Insulation container
US4865331A (en) * 1988-09-15 1989-09-12 Ncr Corporation Differential temperature seal
JP5020706B2 (en) * 2007-05-21 2012-09-05 アルファナテクノロジー株式会社 Method for assembling disk drive device
FR2944335B1 (en) * 2009-04-14 2011-05-06 Gaztransp Et Technigaz STOPPING THE SECONDARY MEMBRANE FROM AN LNG TANK
DE202020107477U1 (en) * 2020-12-22 2021-01-29 Va-Q-Tec Ag Insulated container for holding temperature-sensitive products

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3106307A (en) * 1960-08-03 1963-10-08 Liquefreeze Company Inc Insulated container
US3319431A (en) * 1966-05-25 1967-05-16 Exxon Research Engineering Co Double walled cryogenic tank
US3331525A (en) * 1963-12-13 1967-07-18 Kieler Howaldtswerke Ag Device for connecting liquefied gas tank linings with the bulkheads of a ship
US3379330A (en) * 1965-12-08 1968-04-23 Nasa Usa Cryogenic insulation system
US3420396A (en) * 1966-04-01 1969-01-07 Mcmullen John J Insulated tank configuration
US3545643A (en) * 1967-10-18 1970-12-08 Exxon Research Engineering Co Package for highly viscous tacky materials
US3655086A (en) * 1970-10-09 1972-04-11 Cryotan Inc Receptacles for the storage of liquefied gases at cryogenic temperatures
US3682346A (en) * 1970-03-23 1972-08-08 Marathon Oil Co Liquid cryogen storage tank for shore, ship or barge

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3106307A (en) * 1960-08-03 1963-10-08 Liquefreeze Company Inc Insulated container
US3331525A (en) * 1963-12-13 1967-07-18 Kieler Howaldtswerke Ag Device for connecting liquefied gas tank linings with the bulkheads of a ship
US3379330A (en) * 1965-12-08 1968-04-23 Nasa Usa Cryogenic insulation system
US3420396A (en) * 1966-04-01 1969-01-07 Mcmullen John J Insulated tank configuration
US3319431A (en) * 1966-05-25 1967-05-16 Exxon Research Engineering Co Double walled cryogenic tank
US3545643A (en) * 1967-10-18 1970-12-08 Exxon Research Engineering Co Package for highly viscous tacky materials
US3682346A (en) * 1970-03-23 1972-08-08 Marathon Oil Co Liquid cryogen storage tank for shore, ship or barge
US3655086A (en) * 1970-10-09 1972-04-11 Cryotan Inc Receptacles for the storage of liquefied gases at cryogenic temperatures

Cited By (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3894372A (en) * 1973-01-08 1975-07-15 Baltek Corp Cryogenic insulating panel system
DE2814089A1 (en) * 1978-04-01 1979-10-04 Thyssen Industrie REFRIGERATION CONTAINER
FR2421123A1 (en) * 1978-04-01 1979-10-26 Thyssen Industrie REFRIGERATED CONTAINER
EP0051865A2 (en) * 1980-11-10 1982-05-19 KAEFER Isoliertechnik GmbH & Co. KG Thermal insulation
EP0051865A3 (en) * 1980-11-10 1984-01-11 Kaefer Isoliertechnik Gmbh & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft Thermal insulation
US4461398A (en) * 1981-02-20 1984-07-24 Technigaz Storage tank for cryogenic liquefied gases such in particular as hydrogen
EP0145371A2 (en) * 1983-12-07 1985-06-19 Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Cellular ceramic insulating body and method for making same
US4623585A (en) * 1983-12-07 1986-11-18 Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Cellular ceramic insulating body and method for making same
EP0145371A3 (en) * 1983-12-07 1987-04-08 Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Cellular ceramic insulating body and method for making same
US4660594A (en) * 1985-08-05 1987-04-28 Gocze Thomas E Portable collapsible tank for storing liquid
FR2586083A1 (en) * 1985-08-06 1987-02-13 Gaz Transport Method and device for improving the thermal insulation of a sealed and thermally insulating container intended for the storage of a liquefied gas
FR2604157A1 (en) * 1986-09-18 1988-03-25 Air Liquide ISOTHERMAL STRUCTURE
EP0261033A1 (en) * 1986-09-18 1988-03-23 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Insulating structure
AU596216B2 (en) * 1986-09-18 1990-04-26 L'air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Isothermal structure
US5129544A (en) * 1990-11-08 1992-07-14 Jacobson Wendell L Laminated fuel tank structure
US5419139A (en) * 1993-12-13 1995-05-30 Martin Marietta Corporation Composite cryogenic tank apparatus
WO2004029501A1 (en) * 2002-09-25 2004-04-08 Løgstør Rør A/S An insulated pipe and a mehtod for manufacturing an insulated pipe
US20160076701A1 (en) * 2013-04-15 2016-03-17 Gaztransport Et Technigaz Sealed and thermally insulated tank
KR20150143546A (en) * 2013-04-15 2015-12-23 가즈트랑스포르 에 떼끄니가즈 Sealed and thermally insulated tank
US10738942B2 (en) * 2013-04-15 2020-08-11 Gaztransport Et Technigaz Sealed and thermally insulated tank
KR102196322B1 (en) 2013-04-15 2020-12-29 가즈트랑스포르 에 떼끄니가즈 Sealed and thermally insulated tank
EP3323754A1 (en) * 2016-11-18 2018-05-23 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Vacuum heat-insulating container
KR20180056365A (en) * 2016-11-18 2018-05-28 도요타 지도샤(주) Vacuum heat-insulating container
CN108146872A (en) * 2016-11-18 2018-06-12 丰田自动车株式会社 Vacuum insulated vessel
RU2687688C2 (en) * 2016-11-18 2019-05-15 Тойота Дзидося Кабусики Кайся Vacuum heat-insulating container
US10661970B2 (en) 2016-11-18 2020-05-26 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Vacuum heat-insulating container
US11559964B2 (en) * 2019-06-06 2023-01-24 Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation Composite structures, composite storage tanks, vehicles including such composite storage tanks, and related systems and methods

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US3682346A (en) 1972-08-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3760971A (en) Liquid cryogen storage tank for shore, ship or barge
US3814275A (en) Cryogenic storage vessel
US3655086A (en) Receptacles for the storage of liquefied gases at cryogenic temperatures
US3383004A (en) Plastic storage tank
US4170952A (en) Cryogenic insulation system
US3773604A (en) Structural light-weight panel of high strength,having theral insulation properties and enclosures formed thereby
US3931424A (en) Prefabricated thermal insulation structure and method
RU2682230C2 (en) Sealed insulated reservoir and method for manufacture thereof
US4116150A (en) Cryogenic insulation system
US5501359A (en) Prefabricated structure for forming fluid-tight and thermo-insulated walls for very low temperature fluid confinement container
US5419139A (en) Composite cryogenic tank apparatus
US4747513A (en) Heat insulating wall structure for a fluid-tight tank
US4105819A (en) Laminated sheets particularly for cryogenic enclosures, pipes, and the like
US3317074A (en) Cryogenic containers
JP6356602B2 (en) Sealed heat insulation tank
US3150793A (en) Membrane-type insulated tanks
US3112043A (en) Container for storing a liquid at a low temperature
US4066184A (en) Thermal insulation systems
US2911125A (en) Storage tank for cold liquids
US3101861A (en) Vessel for transporting low temperature liquids
US3931908A (en) Insulated tank
US3894372A (en) Cryogenic insulating panel system
GB1587854A (en) Cryogenic container
KR20200016772A (en) Corner structure for a leaktight and thermally insulating tank
JP6336051B2 (en) Method for manufacturing a self-supporting case for insulation of a fluid storage container and a self-supporting case manufactured by the method

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: MARATHON OIL COMPANY, AN OH CORP

Free format text: ASSIGNS THE ENTIRE INTEREST IN ALL PATENTS AS OF JULY 10,1982 EXCEPT PATENT NOS. 3,783,944 AND 4,260,291. ASSIGNOR ASSIGNS A FIFTY PERCENT INTEREST IN SAID TWO PATENTS AS OF JULY 10,1982;ASSIGNOR:MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:004172/0421

Effective date: 19830420