US3904067A - Membrane tank for liquefied gases - Google Patents

Membrane tank for liquefied gases Download PDF

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Publication number
US3904067A
US3904067A US398926A US39892673A US3904067A US 3904067 A US3904067 A US 3904067A US 398926 A US398926 A US 398926A US 39892673 A US39892673 A US 39892673A US 3904067 A US3904067 A US 3904067A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
portions
tank
membrane tank
lining
flat
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
US398926A
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English (en)
Inventor
Tsuneo Kuniyasu
Daizo Goto
Takayoshi Miyanari
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.)
IHI Corp
Original Assignee
Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries Co Ltd
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 JP9540372A external-priority patent/JPS4951616A/ja
Priority claimed from JP48012170A external-priority patent/JPS5236285B2/ja
Application filed by Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries Co Ltd filed Critical Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries Co Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3904067A publication Critical patent/US3904067A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • F17C3/025—Bulk storage in barges or on ships
    • F17C3/027—Wallpanels for so-called membrane tanks
    • 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
    • F17C2221/035—Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
    • 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
    • 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
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0102—Applications for fluid transport or storage on or in the water
    • F17C2270/0105—Ships
    • F17C2270/0107—Wall panels
    • 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
    • Y10S220/09—Receptacles insulating materials
    • 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

  • the conventional liquefied gas storage tanks are generally divided into a self-supporting type and a membrane type.
  • the tank shell is so designed and fabricated as to withstand the hydraulic pressure as well as gas pressure of liquefied gas stored in the tank.
  • the tank shell is complex in structure, and requires a large amount of very expensive material, and welding.
  • the liquefied gas storage tanks using materials difficult for welding will be very expensive.
  • the membrane storage tanks the hydraulic pressure as well as gas pressure are supported by a shell structure lined with insulating material, so the construction can be very thin and simple.
  • the fabrication cost is inexpensive because the amount of expensive material and welding can be reduced.
  • the membrane tank fabrication method is extremely difficult because complicated creases must be provided in order to absorb the contraction of the membrane tank due to the contact with low temperature liquefied gas. Furthermore the damages of the membrane tank tend to start from the creased portions.
  • the primary object of the present invention is to provide a liquefied gas membrane storage tank which generates only hoop tension but almost no bending stress when the membrane tank is cooled to a temperature of liquefied gas stored therein, so that the stress generated can be prominently re claimed and can be uniformly distributed.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a conventional flat membrane tank for liquefied gas
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view thereof, in enlarged scale, used for the explanation of the stress distribution at the corner thereof;
  • FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a view used for the explanation of the deformation thereof
  • FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the stress distribution thereof
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment v the present invention.
  • a flat membrane 1 is placed on the inner wall of a shell 3, having in between an insulating material 2.
  • the ridges of the membrane are cylindrical and vertices of the membrane are spherical.
  • the flat membrane 1 is contracted as shown by the lines 1 and then pressed against the insulating material 2 under the hydraulic and gas pressures of the liq uid as shown by the chain lines 1".
  • the deformation of the membrane tank due to the low temperature and pressure of the liquid is absorbed by the deformations of the ridges.
  • the flat membrane tank of the type described is very simple in construction, it is advantageous from the standpoint of material and manufacture, but it has a disadvantage that local bending stresses are generated as shown and a and a in FIG. 2 because the deformation of the membrane tank mainly occurs at its ridges.
  • FIGS. 3 5 the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
  • the insulating material 2 which also serves to transmit the inner pressure of the membrane tank T to the shell 3 is lined over the inner walls of the shell 3.
  • the outer dimensions of the membrane tank T are so determined that at room temperature they are larger than the inner dimensions of the insulating material 2 as indicated by the broken lines lb in FIG. 4 but when the membrane tank T is cooled to a temperature equal to that of the low temperature liquid charged into the tank the membrane tank T is so contracted that the flat portions thereof contact with the inner surfaces of the insulating material 2.
  • the ridges of the membrane tank T are cylindrical. When the membrane tank T is installed, the restraining forces are applied to the tangent lines, that is the boundary lines A and B in FIG. 4 between the flat faces and the ridges so that the ridges are deformed as indicated by the chain lines la in FIG. 4 while the flat portions are pressed against the inner surfaces C in FIG. 4 of the insulating material 2.
  • the insulating material 2 Since the insulating material 2 is lined over the inner walls of the tank shell 3, there is a sufficient space 4 at every comer into which the deformed ridge portion of the membrane tank 3 extends as indicated by the chain lines 1a. Even after the restraining forces are relieved, the flat portions are pressed against the inner surface of the insulating material 2 sothat the deformed ridge portion may remain in the space 4 at room temperature and the bending stresses are generated.
  • the membrane tank T When the membrane tank T is cooled by the low temperature liquid, it is contracted so that the deformed ridge portion is gradually retracted inwardly. At the temperature of the low temperature liquid the flat portions just contact with the inner surfaces of the insulating material 2 and the ridge portion is curved with a predetermined radius as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 4. Therefore no bending stress is generated, so that the membrane tank T is subjected only to the hoop tension H. However because of the expansion of the membrane tank T due to the hydraulic pressure or inner pressure I of the low-temperature liquid, very small bending stresses are generated, but they are negligible in practice. In order to eliminate completely the bending stresses, the radius of curvature of the membrane is further decreased.
  • the convex cylindrical ridge portion Y where the adjacent flat surfaces X meet has a radius R and the convex spherical vertex portion has a radius R smaller than R
  • the adjacent flat portion X, the cylindrical ridge portions Y and the spherical vertex portion 0 are connected to each other through a triangular connecting portion P.
  • the outer dimensions 5 of the flat surface X at room temperature are greater than the radius of the spherical vertex portion 0 by 5.
  • the value of 6 is determined depending upon the dimensions and material of the membrane tank T. For example when the membrane tank T is contracted by 1., at a temperature of liquid stored therein, 8 is so selected as to be equal to 5, in' order to substantially eliminate the bending stress at the cylindrical edge Y.
  • the distance 1 between the vertex 7 of the connecting portion P on the side of the spherical vertex portion 0 and the vertex 8 on the side of the flat portion X is taken as 1 z /2 R to facilitate the fabrication, and the connecting portion P has a surface substantially similar to a conical surface so that it may be easily developed and do not cause undue stress.
  • the outer dimensions of the membrane tank can be easily deformed even though the force is not directly applied to the spherical vertex portion 0.
  • the cylindrical ridge portions Y is deformed, but no force is transmitted to the spherical vertex portion 0 because the deformation is absorbed by the connecting portions P.
  • no force is needed to be applied to the spherical vertex portion when the membrane tank T is installed within the shell or the insulating material.
  • the membrane tank T installed within the shell no high bending stress is generated even at room temperature. When it is cooled to a temperature of a lowtemperature liquid stored, it is contracted so that substantially no bending stress is generated and the membrane tank is subjected only to the hoop tension.
  • the insulating material is so lined on the inner surfaces of the shell so as to provide a space at every corner so that the membrane tank of the second embodiment may be installed in a manner described substantially similar to that described in the first embodiment. That is, the ridge portions of the membrane tank may be freely deformed within these spaces.
  • the effect of the second embodiment installed are similar to that of the first embodiment.
  • the membrane tank has sufficient strength and can be fabricated in a simple manner at a low cost.
  • the spaces are provided at every corners of the insulating material lined on the inner walls of the shell, the externally entended deformations of the cylindrical ridge portions of the membrane tank can be allowed when the membrane tank is to be installed within the shell. Furthermore the radius of the cylindrical ridge portions may be reduced.
  • the spaces may be used for the piping system associated with the membrane tank and access for the maintenance and inspection.
  • the thermal constraction of the membrane tank can be absorbed by the connecting portions with a conical surface, so that the forces are applied only to the cylindrical ridge portions and not to the spherical vertex portions of the membrane tank when the latter must be reduced in size so as to be installed within the shell. Furthermore even when the restraining force is applied, there arises no problem on the strength of the membrane tank, and the less restraining force will be required.
  • the membrane tank can be fabricated at low cost because the spherical vertex portions may be fabricated in a simple manner.
  • the contraction of the cylindrical ridge portions can be relieved in the spaces at the corners of the insulating material, and the installation of the membrane tank within the insulating material may be much facilitated.
  • a storage container for liquefied gas comprising an outer shell, an inner lining of insulating material engaging the inner walls of said shell, and a flexible membrane tank within said inner lining, said tank including flat side, top and bottom portions and flat end portions, the side and top and bottom portions being connected by arcuate ridge portions each having a convex cylindrical surface, the dimensions of each flat portion of the tank being larger at room temperature than the corresponding portions of the lining, said dimensions being such that when the membrane tank is assembled within the lining, the flat portions of the tank engage the corresponding flat portions of the lining, with the arcuate ridge portions received within corners formed between adjacent side portions of the lining, said arcuate ridge portions retracting inwardly when the tank is cooled by liquefied gas placed therein.
  • a tank as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tank is provided with convex sperical vertex portions when radius of curvature is less than the ridge portions, and the adjacent flat portions and sperical vertex portions are connected through a cylindrical connecting portion having a surface similar to a conical surface.

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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)
US398926A 1972-09-22 1973-09-20 Membrane tank for liquefied gases Expired - Lifetime US3904067A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP9540372A JPS4951616A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-09-22 1972-09-22
JP48012170A JPS5236285B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-01-30 1973-01-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3904067A true US3904067A (en) 1975-09-09

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US398926A Expired - Lifetime US3904067A (en) 1972-09-22 1973-09-20 Membrane tank for liquefied gases

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3904067A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DK (1) DK131797C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2200472B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1449634A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
IT (1) IT993247B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5228585A (en) * 1991-08-28 1993-07-20 Minnesota Valley Engineering, Inc. Variable capacity vehicle-mounted cryogenic storage vessels and method of making same
US5651256A (en) * 1996-05-31 1997-07-29 General Electric Company Superconductive magnet having a thermal shield
US5941080A (en) * 1997-04-02 1999-08-24 Illinois Superconductor Corporation Thin-walled cryostat
US6708502B1 (en) * 2002-09-27 2004-03-23 The Regents Of The University Of California Lightweight cryogenic-compatible pressure vessels for vehicular fuel storage
US20060021987A1 (en) * 2004-07-29 2006-02-02 Smolik John V Pressurized flat conformal tank
US20080209918A1 (en) * 2007-03-02 2008-09-04 Enersea Transport Llc Storing, transporting and handling compressed fluids
EP3067613A4 (en) * 2013-11-07 2017-06-28 Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Liquefied-fuel tank and aquatic structure provided with same

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3613932A (en) * 1969-05-01 1971-10-19 Bridgestone Liquefied Gas Co Low-temperature liquefied gas storage equipment
US3622030A (en) * 1968-11-15 1971-11-23 Bridgestone Liquefied Gas Co Tank for use in storing low-temperature liquefied gas
US3666132A (en) * 1970-01-14 1972-05-30 Bridgestone Liquified Gas Co L Membrane container construction for storing low-temperature liquified gas

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3622030A (en) * 1968-11-15 1971-11-23 Bridgestone Liquefied Gas Co Tank for use in storing low-temperature liquefied gas
US3613932A (en) * 1969-05-01 1971-10-19 Bridgestone Liquefied Gas Co Low-temperature liquefied gas storage equipment
US3666132A (en) * 1970-01-14 1972-05-30 Bridgestone Liquified Gas Co L Membrane container construction for storing low-temperature liquified gas

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5228585A (en) * 1991-08-28 1993-07-20 Minnesota Valley Engineering, Inc. Variable capacity vehicle-mounted cryogenic storage vessels and method of making same
US5651256A (en) * 1996-05-31 1997-07-29 General Electric Company Superconductive magnet having a thermal shield
US5941080A (en) * 1997-04-02 1999-08-24 Illinois Superconductor Corporation Thin-walled cryostat
US6708502B1 (en) * 2002-09-27 2004-03-23 The Regents Of The University Of California Lightweight cryogenic-compatible pressure vessels for vehicular fuel storage
US20060021987A1 (en) * 2004-07-29 2006-02-02 Smolik John V Pressurized flat conformal tank
US20080209918A1 (en) * 2007-03-02 2008-09-04 Enersea Transport Llc Storing, transporting and handling compressed fluids
WO2008109006A3 (en) * 2007-03-02 2010-04-01 Enersea Transport Llc Storing, transporting and handling compressed fluids
US9033178B2 (en) 2007-03-02 2015-05-19 Enersea Transport Llc Storing, transporting and handling compressed fluids
EP3067613A4 (en) * 2013-11-07 2017-06-28 Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Liquefied-fuel tank and aquatic structure provided with same
US10259538B2 (en) 2013-11-07 2019-04-16 Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Liquefied gas tank and on-water structure including the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2347288A1 (de) 1974-04-04
GB1449634A (en) 1976-09-15
IT993247B (it) 1975-09-30
DK131797C (da) 1976-02-09
FR2200472B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1976-10-01
DE2347288B2 (de) 1976-10-21
FR2200472A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-04-19
DK131797B (da) 1975-09-01

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