US3915332A - Floating roof - Google Patents

Floating roof Download PDF

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Publication number
US3915332A
US3915332A US438650A US43865074A US3915332A US 3915332 A US3915332 A US 3915332A US 438650 A US438650 A US 438650A US 43865074 A US43865074 A US 43865074A US 3915332 A US3915332 A US 3915332A
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Prior art keywords
floating roof
tubes
roof according
framework
horizontal tubes
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Expired - Lifetime
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US438650A
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English (en)
Inventor
Nestor Leon Pladys
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BP PLC
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BP PLC
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Publication date
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D88/00—Large containers
    • B65D88/34—Large containers having floating covers, e.g. floating roofs or blankets

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a floating roof suitable for use with a liquid product storage tank.
  • U.S. Pat. No 3,885,699 describes a floating roof comprising a central framework with one or more substantially concentric floating rims, the rims being connected to said framework by means of tensioning cables adapted to give a stable structure and 'a covering sheet adapted to be supported by the framework and rims.
  • a floating roof having a framework supporting a sealing screen, said framework comprising a grid of upper and lower horizontal tubes integrated with one another by further horizontal tubes at an angle to the upper and lower tubes, the further tubes being also integrated with one another at a peripheral rim, which rim is adapted to make substantially sealing contact with the side of a liquid product storage tank.
  • the grid consists of a small number of tubes known as upper tubes and lower tubes, superimposed on one another and braced by a larger number of further horizontal tubes arranged preferably substantially perpendicularly to the said upper and lower tubes or forming a suitable angle in relation to these tubes.
  • the three horizontal beds of crossed and superimposed tubes have the purpose of imparting a considerable degree of inertia to the framework so that it will tolerate flexural stresses.
  • All the tubes terminate in the vicinity of the wall of the storage tank and are welded at their respective ends to the inner wall of the said peripheral rim, the crosssection of which is preferably rectangular.
  • the framework includes props of the type described in the abovementioned application at the points of intersection between the said upper and lower tubes on the one hand and the said intermediate tubes on the other hand or at any other chosen point of the generatrix of the tubes of the intermediate row.
  • These props may slide inside sheaths provided at the said points of intersection and crossing the different tubes above-mentioned.
  • the sealing screen is in the form of a roof, the ridge of which is located parallel to the upper and lower median tubes of the said double grid and between the tubes.
  • the peripheral sealing joint comprises an articulated collar pivotally attached to the rim, the collar being fitted with a first inflatable attachment and a second inflatable attachment that is nearer to the pivot than the first inflatable attachment the attachments being on opposite sides of said collar and being adapted, so that, upon inflation, the second inflatable attachment is pressed against the rim, and, by principle of levers, presses the first inflatable attachment against a surrounding wall of the tank.
  • the peripheral rim consists of a circular tube of square cross-section with a vertical axis and of an external diameter which is slightly less than that of the storthat of the tank.
  • the assembly as between the lower and upper tubes on the one hand and the perpendicular intermediate tubes on the other, is usually achieved by welding and by insertion one into the other, but when the thickness of the roof is of little import, as is the case for tanks of large dimensions, the tubes may be assembled by welded intermediate parts.
  • the vertical sheaths provided atthe level of the assembly nodes serve, if necessary, as fixing points for cables or tie-rods which make it possible to place the framework under tension so as to make it capable of withstanding considerable mechanical stresses of compression, flexure and torsion which may be imparted to them accidentally by external agents, especially in the case of tanks of a large diameter.
  • the sealing screen consists of elements of thin corrugated sheeting, preferably of galvanised steel, and having a good resistance to vertical loads, the elements being joined together along their respective edges parallel to the said corrugations.
  • This screen is housed below the upper floating tubes and is integrated with the said intermediate tubes. It preferably forms two symmetrical slopes of uniform gradient from its median crest as far as the said peripheral rim.
  • the symmetrical slopes may be interrupted by slopes in the opposite direction and form alternating ridges and low points where the water can be collected.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to create more accentuated gradients and to avoid large volumes of gaseous material imprisoned under the roof.
  • the thin sheet metal may be formed, for example, of standardized elements of the great length having a width of the order of 1 meter
  • the sheet metal is generally fixed on the said intermediate tubes and on the peripheral rim by means of welded flat irons and blind leakproof riveting or any other known process.
  • This sheet metal is also fixed on to intermediate stringers parallel to the different upper and lower tubes and located on either side of these tubes, this fixing being carried out by established processes.
  • the gaseous atmosphere which is located under the sealing screen isolates the stored liquid from the said screen, reduces the transmission to the framework of the action of the wind on this screen and prevents the possible creation in the stored liquid of the phenomenom of resonance which could cause damage to the framework.
  • the sealing screen comes to rest partly or wholly on the surface of the liquid, but since this screen is in any case very light, it is supported uniformly by floating tubes and is subjected to an upwards thrust, so the mean plane of the said screen remains horizontal without being subjected to any excessive stress.
  • the flow of rainwater off-the roof is achieved by the 'water travelling along the two slopes of sufficient gradient as far as the periphery of the said screen or as far as the intermediate points where it is collected by an articulated tube of the established type.
  • the tubes of the upper row which are located above this screen form separations which brake the flow of the said rainwater. The equilibrium of the roof is therefore ensured.
  • the mean weight per square meter of the new floating roof may in practice be two to four times less than that of the old forms of embodiment known as single or double decle.
  • FIG. 1 is a plan view showing in particular the grid of the framework
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-section along the line lI-II of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-section along the line IIIlII of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-section similar to FIG. 3, but showing the above-mentioned props in a position which permits of the supporting of the said floating roof when the tank is empty;
  • FIG. 5 is a section along the line V-V of FIG. 1 showing the method of assembly as between the different elements of corrugated sheet metal, along their respective longitudinal edges.
  • the tank with a diameter of 20 m. includes a grid framework having three upper tubes 1, 2 and 3, under which there are located three lower tubes la, 2a and 3a which are not visible in FIG.
  • the grid is supplemented by intermediate tubes which are visible respectively at 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 in FIG. 1.
  • a tear-away has been provided in the elements of corrugated sheet metal 10 which connect the intermediate tubes 4 to 8 and which also connect the outer intermediate tubes 4 and 8 to the peripheral rim 11.
  • This rim of rectangular section consists of a circular bent tube and is visible in particular in FIGS. 2 to 4.
  • FIG. 1 shows a number of intermediate stringers 12 to 19 which are parallel to the said upper and lower tubes and located respectively between these different tubes and also between the outer tubes 1 and 3 and the peripheral rim 11.
  • FIG. 2 shows the intermediate tubes 6 to 8 as well as the peripheral rim 11 which is equipped with a joint holder collar 20 mounted so as to ensure the leakproofness of the periphery of the said tank 21 between the gaseous phase 22, which is located above the stored liquid, and the ambient atmosphere 23, which is above the joint proper 24.
  • the joint-holder collar 20 is equipped in its upper part with a second joint 25 which, in conjunction with the collar 20 and the joint 24, ensures the leakproofness between the peripheral rim 11 and the tank 21.
  • the sealing screen can be seen at 28 and is welded to the peripheral rim and to the intermediate tubes 4 to 8. This sealing screen is at a higher level than that of the level 29 of the liquid stored.
  • FIG. 3 shows the upper tubes 1 and 2 and the lower tubes 1a and 2a as well as the corresponding props 9 provided at the assembly nodes, the rods 27 of which slide inside the sheaths 26.
  • FIG. 3 shows intermediate stringers 12 to 15 on which there are fixed the elements of sheet metal 10 constituting the sealing screen 28.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 show the rigid tie-rods 30 and 31 intended to increase still further the rigidity of the gridtype framework.
  • the rainwater collects in the lower part of the two symmetrical inclined planes constituting the said sealing screen 28, and an orifice located at one of the two low points of the flow of this rainwater through an articulated tube 32 to afixed discharge pipe 33.
  • FIG. 4 shows the position of the prop 9 which corresponds to the low position of the floating roof.
  • FIG. 5 shows panels of section sheet metal 10 which extend between the parallel lines 10a and which are assembled in the vicinity of their respective ends 10b.
  • These panels also include ribs of a height which is more or less the same as that of the ends 10b, and intermediate ribs 10d which are less accentuated.
  • a floating roof for a liquid product storage tank having a framework supporting a sealing screen, said framework comprising a grid of parallel upper and lower horizontal tubes extending across the width of said floating roof, and a peripheral rim, said parallel upper and lower horizontal tubes being integrated withone another by further horizontal tubes at an angle to said parallel upper and lower horizontal tubes, said upper, lower and further horizontal tubes being integrated with one another at said peripheral rim, said rim including means for making substantially sealing contact with the wall of said liquid product storage tank.
  • a floating roof according to claim 1 in which the further horizontal tubes are arranged substantially perpendicularly to the upper and lower tubes.
  • the attachments being on opposite sides of said collar and being adapted, so that, on inflation, the second inflatable attachment is pressed against the rim and by principle of levers presses the first inflatable attachment against a surrounding wall of the tank.
  • a floating roof according to claim 5 in which the ridge of the sealing screen is located parallel to the upper and lower horizontal tubes of the grid and between said tubes.
  • sealing screen comprises elements of thin corrugated sheeting, said elements being joined together along their respective edges and parallel to the corrugations.
  • a floating roof according to claim 1 in which the framework is provided with props adapted to support the framework in a substantially horizontal position on the base of the substantially empty liquid product storage tank.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Tents Or Canopies (AREA)
US438650A 1973-02-06 1974-02-01 Floating roof Expired - Lifetime US3915332A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7304147A FR2216815A5 (enExample) 1973-02-06 1973-02-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3915332A true US3915332A (en) 1975-10-28

Family

ID=9114414

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US438650A Expired - Lifetime US3915332A (en) 1973-02-06 1974-02-01 Floating roof

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3915332A (enExample)
JP (1) JPS49111422A (enExample)
BE (1) BE810678A (enExample)
DE (1) DE2405410A1 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2216815A5 (enExample)
GB (1) GB1449962A (enExample)
IT (1) IT1008801B (enExample)
NL (1) NL7401262A (enExample)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4067476A (en) * 1976-01-09 1978-01-10 Luigi Strozzi Automatic sealing device for containers of volatile or perishable liquids
US5305905A (en) * 1993-03-08 1994-04-26 Amerada Hess Corporation Vapor tight floating roof support leg for liquid storage tank
US5628421A (en) * 1993-05-14 1997-05-13 Hmt, Inc. Floating roof
US11161685B2 (en) 2018-07-19 2021-11-02 Reg MacLeod Light footing shoring of a floating roof inside a tank during tank inspection and maintenance
US11548725B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2023-01-10 Industrial & Environmental Concepts, Inc. Cover systems, tank covering methods, and pipe retention systems

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2152996B (en) * 1984-01-14 1988-01-06 Motherwell Bridge Fabricators Floating roofs
NL9000684A (nl) * 1990-03-22 1991-10-16 Alexander Faber Pieter Hugo Al Drijvend tankdak van kunststofmateriaal.

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1777560A (en) * 1927-02-23 1930-10-07 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Floating deck
US2282772A (en) * 1939-04-15 1942-05-12 John H Wiggins Pontoon type floating roof for liquid storage tanks
US2586856A (en) * 1945-10-16 1952-02-26 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Double-deck floating roof
US2806625A (en) * 1955-06-06 1957-09-17 John H Wiggins Double deck floating roof
US3362562A (en) * 1965-01-06 1968-01-09 Greengate & Irwell Rubber Comp Floating covers for liquid storage tanks
US3374918A (en) * 1966-01-25 1968-03-26 Olin Mathieson Floating deck for storage tank

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1777560A (en) * 1927-02-23 1930-10-07 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Floating deck
US2282772A (en) * 1939-04-15 1942-05-12 John H Wiggins Pontoon type floating roof for liquid storage tanks
US2586856A (en) * 1945-10-16 1952-02-26 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Double-deck floating roof
US2806625A (en) * 1955-06-06 1957-09-17 John H Wiggins Double deck floating roof
US3362562A (en) * 1965-01-06 1968-01-09 Greengate & Irwell Rubber Comp Floating covers for liquid storage tanks
US3374918A (en) * 1966-01-25 1968-03-26 Olin Mathieson Floating deck for storage tank

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4067476A (en) * 1976-01-09 1978-01-10 Luigi Strozzi Automatic sealing device for containers of volatile or perishable liquids
US5305905A (en) * 1993-03-08 1994-04-26 Amerada Hess Corporation Vapor tight floating roof support leg for liquid storage tank
US5628421A (en) * 1993-05-14 1997-05-13 Hmt, Inc. Floating roof
US11548725B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2023-01-10 Industrial & Environmental Concepts, Inc. Cover systems, tank covering methods, and pipe retention systems
US11161685B2 (en) 2018-07-19 2021-11-02 Reg MacLeod Light footing shoring of a floating roof inside a tank during tank inspection and maintenance

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2216815A5 (enExample) 1974-08-30
BE810678A (fr) 1974-08-06
GB1449962A (en) 1976-09-15
IT1008801B (it) 1976-11-30
NL7401262A (enExample) 1974-08-08
JPS49111422A (enExample) 1974-10-23
DE2405410A1 (de) 1974-08-08

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