Support structure of liquid hydrogen storage tank

Abstract

The present invention discloses a support structure for a liquid hydrogen storage tank, comprising a liquid hydrogen spherical tank located within a hull, the hull comprising a circumferentially distributed member and a bottom member, the liquid hydrogen spherical tank being disposed within a cavity enclosed by the circumferentially distributed member and the bottom member; a plurality of vertical struts, the tops of which are fixedly connected to the liquid hydrogen spherical tank; the bottoms of the vertical struts comprising a plate-like portion, a base fixedly connected to the bottom member being disposed below the plate-like portion, the plate-like portion and the base being bolted together; a tie rod being disposed between the vertical struts and the circumferentially distributed member; one end of the tie rod being connected to the circumferentially distributed member via a first connector, and the other end of the tie rod being connected to the vertical struts. The present invention has the advantages of safety, reliability, and low cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of ships, and in particular to a supporting structure for a liquid hydrogen storage tank. Background Art

[0002] Existing liquid hydrogen spherical tanks are mainly used on land. Such land-based liquid hydrogen spherical tanks cannot be directly used on ships. The main reason is that ships are always in motion in the ocean.

[0003] The Moss-type spherical tanks currently used in liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers cannot be used as liquid hydrogen storage tanks. This is primarily due to the low temperature of LNG (-163°C) and the low temperature of liquid hydrogen (-253°C). Nitrogen, the inert gas used to isolate and protect the tanks, has a liquefaction temperature of -196°C. If liquefied nitrogen drips onto the ship's hull, it can cause brittle failure and lead to serious safety incidents.

[0004] Existing marine liquid hydrogen spherical tanks use skirt support technology, which requires the use of structural transition parts and is technically complex.

[0005] The design technology for land-based spherical storage tanks is mature, with various standard guidelines, such as GB12337-2014 "Steel Spherical Storage Tanks." Section 1 of this standard explicitly states that it is not applicable to spherical tanks subjected to relative motion (such as those mounted on vehicles or ships) or double-walled tanks. The support structure of a land-based spherical tank consists of pillars connected to the tank at one end and to the ground foundation at the other. The pillars are connected to each other by tie rods, both ends of which are located above the pillars.

[0006] The invention patent with announcement number CN108431485B discloses a ship containment system for liquefied gas, in which the spherical tank is supported by a vertical cylindrical skirt. The skirt structure is basically the same as the Moss spherical tank cargo maintenance system developed by the Norwegian company Moss Rosenburg in the early 1970s. The top of the skirt is connected to the spherical tank, and the bottom of the skirt is connected to the hull. The upper and lower parts of the skirt are made of different materials and are equipped with special structural transition joints. Due to the high technical difficulty of welding dissimilar steels, it is currently mainly in the hands of Japan. After other countries build the spherical tank, they need to transport the tank and the hull to Japan for the final skirt welding work.

[0007] In existing technology, the skirts of Moss-type LNG carriers are equipped with special structural transition joints. Due to the high technical difficulty of welding dissimilar steels, this process is currently mainly mastered by Japan. After other countries build spherical tanks, they need to transport the tanks and hulls to Japan for the final skirt welding, which is very costly.

[0008] Existing design standards or guidelines for land-based spherical storage tanks are not applicable to spherical tanks that undergo relative motion (such as those mounted on vehicles or ships) or double-layer structures. The application of land-based spherical tank technology on liquid hydrogen carriers presents certain obstacles. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art and provide a support structure for a liquid hydrogen storage tank.

[0010] The present invention solves the above technical problems through the following technical solutions:

[0011] A support structure for a liquid hydrogen storage tank, comprising a liquid hydrogen spherical tank located within a hull, the hull comprising a circumferentially distributed member and a bottom member, the liquid hydrogen spherical tank being arranged in a cavity surrounded by the circumferentially distributed member and the bottom member; the structure being characterized in that it comprises a plurality of vertical struts, the tops of the vertical struts being fixedly connected to the liquid hydrogen spherical tank; the bottoms of the vertical struts comprising a plate-like portion, a base fixedly connected to the bottom member being provided below the plate-like portion, the plate-like portion and the base being connected by bolts; a pull rod being provided between the vertical struts and the circumferentially distributed member; one end of the pull rod being connected to the circumferentially distributed member via a first connecting member, and the other end of the pull rod being connected to the vertical struts.

[0012] The first connecting member includes a first toggle plate, which is fixed to the circumferential distribution member; the first toggle plate and the pull rod are connected via a first pin shaft.

[0013] There are two first toggle plates, and the pull rod is clamped between the two first toggle plates.

[0014] The other end of the pull rod is connected to the vertical support through a second connecting piece.

[0015] The second connecting member includes a second toggle plate, which is fixed to the vertical support column; the second toggle plate and the pull rod are connected via a second pin shaft.

[0016] The base comprises a third toggle plate fixed to the bottom component and a top plate fixed to the top of the third toggle plate; the top plate is located below the plate-shaped portion; and the top plate and the plate-shaped portion are connected by bolts.

[0017] The vertical struts are distributed along the circumference of the outer shell of the liquid hydrogen spherical tank.

[0018] A tank cover is provided above the liquid hydrogen spherical tank. The tank cover, circumferential distribution components and bottom components form a closed space for accommodating the liquid hydrogen spherical tank.

[0019] The circumferentially distributed components include the inner hull of the hull and transverse bulkheads fixed to the inner hull of the hull; there are two transverse bulkheads.

[0020] The bottom structure includes the inner bottom plate and the hopper tank inclined plate.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the present invention does not require the provision of a cylindrical skirt, thereby reducing the contact area between the hull and the liquid hydrogen storage tank; the vertical struts and the hull structure are connected by bolts, eliminating the need for welding of dissimilar steels, lowering the technical threshold and significantly reducing costs for the shipyard; the pull rods and the hull are connected by pins, eliminating the direct transmission of low temperatures to the hull structure; the overall structure is safe, reliable and low-cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 It is a horizontal cross-sectional schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the AA section.

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the middle BB section.

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged schematic diagram of part C in the middle.

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 3 Enlarged schematic diagram of part D in the middle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] A preferred embodiment is given below and the present invention is described more clearly and completely in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0028] like Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, a support structure for a liquid hydrogen storage tank includes a liquid hydrogen spherical tank 20 located in a hull. The hull is provided with a circumferential distribution component and a bottom component. The liquid hydrogen spherical tank is arranged in a cavity surrounded by the circumferential distribution component and the bottom component.

[0029] A tank cover 21 is provided above the liquid hydrogen spherical tank 20 . The tank cover 21 , the circumferential distribution components and the bottom components form a closed space for accommodating the liquid hydrogen spherical tank 20 .

[0030] The circumferentially distributed components include the inner hull 41 and transverse bulkheads 42 fixed to the inner hull; there are two transverse bulkheads 42. The bottom components include the inner bottom plate 51 and the hopper tank inclined plate 52.

[0031] In this embodiment, the liquid hydrogen spherical tank is arranged in the space surrounded by the inner hull 41, the transverse bulkhead 42, the inner bottom plate 51, the hopper tank inclined plate 52 and the tank cover 21.

[0032] The supporting structure of the liquid hydrogen storage tank includes a plurality of vertical supports 30 , the tops of which are fixedly connected to the liquid hydrogen spherical tank 20 .

[0033] The bottom of the vertical support 30 has a plate-shaped portion 31 , and the plate-shaped portion 31 is distributed laterally.

[0034] A base 32 is provided below the plate-like portion 31 and is fixed to the bottom member. The plate-like portion 31 and the base 32 are connected by bolts. In this embodiment, the base 32 is fixed to the inner bottom plate 51. In other embodiments, the base can also be fixed to the hopper tank sloping plate.

[0035] The base 32 includes a third bracket 34 fixed to the bottom member and a top plate 35 fixed to the top of the third bracket; the top plate 35 is located below the plate-shaped portion 31; the top plate 35 and the plate-shaped portion 31 are connected by bolts.

[0036] A tie rod 33 is provided between the vertical support 30 and the circumferential distribution member; one end of the tie rod 33 is connected to the circumferential distribution member via a first connecting member 11 .

[0037] In this embodiment, a portion of the tie rods 33 is disposed between the vertical struts 30 and the hull inner hull 41 , and a portion of the tie rods is disposed between the vertical struts 30 and the transverse bulkhead 42 .

[0038] The first connecting member 11 includes a first bracket 12 , which is fixed to the circumferential distribution member. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the circumferentially distributed component is the transverse bulkhead 42. The first bracket plate 12 and the tie rod 33 are connected by a first pin 13. There are two first bracket plates 12, and the tie rod 33 is sandwiched between the two first bracket plates 12.

[0039] The other end of the pull rod 33 is connected to the vertical support 30. In this embodiment, the other end of the pull rod 33 is connected to the vertical support 30 through the second connecting member 14.

[0040] The second connecting member 14 includes a second toggle plate 15 , which is fixed to the vertical support 30 ; the second toggle plate 15 and the pull rod 33 are connected via a second pin 16 .

[0041] The vertical struts 30 are distributed along the circumference of the shell of the liquid hydrogen spherical tank 20. Figure 1 As shown, the liquid hydrogen spherical tank 20 is circumferentially provided with a plurality of support members consisting of vertical struts 30 and tie rods 33. The plurality of support members are radially distributed, and the angle between adjacent support members is about 30 degrees.

[0042] In this embodiment, in the space enclosed by the hull inner hull 41, the transverse bulkhead 42, the inner bottom plate 51, the hopper tank inclined plate 52 and the tank cover 21, the liquid hydrogen spherical tank 20 is effectively supported by the vertical struts 30 and the tie rods 33.

[0043] The vertical support is made of stainless steel, and the pull rod is made of stainless steel or high-strength composite material.

[0044] The bottom of the vertical strut is connected to the bottom structure of the hull by bolts, eliminating the problem of welding dissimilar steels in the prior art.

[0045] The vertical struts and the circumferential distribution components of the hull are connected by tie rods. This structure can withstand the loads generated by movements such as roll and pitch of the hull, thereby increasing the application range of the liquid hydrogen spherical tank.

[0046] The ends of the pull rods are connected to the circumferentially distributed components of the hull by means of latches, thus solving the problem of low-temperature transmission in the prior art.

[0047] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0048] (1) There is no need to install a cylindrical skirt, which reduces the contact area between the hull and the liquid hydrogen storage tank.

[0049] (2) The vertical struts are connected to the hull structure by bolts, which eliminates the need for welding dissimilar steels, lowers the technical threshold, and can significantly reduce costs for shipyards.

[0050] (3) The pull rod is connected to the hull through a pin to prevent low temperature from being directly transmitted to the hull structure.

[0051] (4) The present invention is safe, reliable and low-cost.

[0052] The liquid hydrogen spherical tank support structure of the present invention can effectively reduce costs, promote the technological development of liquid hydrogen transport ships, and contribute to the early arrival of zero-carbon shipping.

[0053] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these are merely illustrative and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art may make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of the present invention, and such changes and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A support structure for a liquid hydrogen storage tank, comprising a liquid hydrogen spherical tank located within a hull, wherein the hull has a circumferential distribution member and a bottom member, and the liquid hydrogen spherical tank is disposed within a cavity enclosed by the circumferential distribution member and the bottom member; characterized in that: It includes a plurality of vertical struts, the top of which is fixed to the liquid hydrogen spherical tank; the bottom of the vertical strut has a plate-like portion, and a base fixed to the bottom member is provided below the plate-like portion, and the plate-like portion and the base are connected by bolts; a tie rod is provided between the vertical strut and the circumferential distribution member; one end of the tie rod is connected to the circumferential distribution member through a first connecting member, and the other end of the tie rod is connected to the vertical strut; the first connecting member includes a first toggle plate, which is fixed to the circumferential distribution member; the first toggle plate and the tie rod are connected by a first pin shaft; There are two first elbow plates, and the pull rod is clamped between the two first elbow plates; the other end of the pull rod is connected to the vertical support through a second connecting piece; the second connecting piece includes a second elbow plate, and the second elbow plate is fixed to the vertical support; the second elbow plate and the pull rod are connected by a second pin shaft; the base includes a third elbow plate fixed to the bottom member and a top plate fixed to the top of the third elbow plate; the top plate is located below the plate-like portion; the top plate and the plate-like portion are connected by bolts; the circumferentially distributed component includes the inner hull of the hull and a transverse bulkhead fixed to the inner hull of the hull; there are two transverse bulkheads.

2. The support structure of the liquid hydrogen storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vertical struts are distributed along the circumference of the outer shell of the liquid hydrogen spherical tank.

3. The support structure of the liquid hydrogen storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: A tank cover is provided above the liquid hydrogen spherical tank. The tank cover, circumferential distribution components and bottom components form a closed space for accommodating the liquid hydrogen spherical tank.

4. The support structure of the liquid hydrogen storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom structure includes the inner bottom plate and the hopper tank inclined plate.

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