Automatic balancing compensation system and method for gas pressure rise of LNG storage tank

Abstract

An automatic balancing and compensation system for gas pressure lifting of an LNG storage tank is provided. The system includes a control component and a counterweight adjustment component. The control component includes a monitoring unit and a processing unit. The monitoring unit is used to detect the real-time posture of the tank dome during the lifting process, and the processing unit is used to calculate the balance compensation amount based on the real-time posture. The counterweight adjustment component includes a counterweight block, a driving member, and a travel path. The travel path is arranged on the dome. The driving member is connected to the control component signal and is used to drive the counterweight block to move on the travel path according to the signal of the processing unit. The counterweight block adjusts its own position by moving on the travel path, and then applies a balance compensation amount to the dome by torque to automatically adjust the offset of the dome. The above system can achieve automatic balancing and compensation of the tank dome by using the principle of torque balance. A method for automatic balancing and compensation of gas pressure lifting of an LNG storage tank is also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of LNG storage tanks, and in particular to the field of balancing and compensating for gas pressure rise in storage tanks. Background Art

[0002] The inner tank diameter of an ultra-large LNG storage tank is over 92 meters. As an important step in the construction of the main body of the tank, air pressure lifting carries great risks during the lifting process. Therefore, there are high requirements for controlling the inclination of the entire arch during the lifting process.

[0003] Currently, LNG tanks typically use a balance calculation method to balance the dome during pressure-raising. Because dome balance is affected by multiple factors, the risk of dome tilting during pressure-raising increases with tank volume. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a balancing and compensating device for gas pressure rise of an LNG storage tank, which can realize automatic balancing and compensation of the tank dome.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the automatic balancing and compensation system for gas pressure lifting of LNG storage tanks includes a control component and a counterweight adjustment component. The control component includes a monitoring unit and a processing unit. The monitoring unit is used to detect the real-time posture of the tank arch during the lifting process, and the processing unit is used to calculate the balance compensation amount according to the real-time posture; the counterweight adjustment component includes a counterweight block, a driving member and a walking path, and the walking path is arranged on the arch. The driving member is connected to the control component signal and is used to drive the counterweight block to move on the walking path according to the signal of the processing unit; wherein the counterweight block adjusts its own position by moving on the walking path, and then applies a balance compensation amount to the arch by means of torque to automatically adjust the offset of the arch.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, the walking route is a guide rail, the guide rail is arranged inside or outside the arch, and the counterweight block is movably arranged on the guide rail.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the walking route is a steel wire rope, the steel wire rope is fixed inside the arch through a hanging point, and the counterweight block is suspended on the steel wire rope.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the counterweight block can be replaced on the walking route.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the first endpoint and the second endpoint of the walking route are respectively the inner center of the arch and the radial edge of the arch, and multiple walking routes are evenly distributed in the arch around the inner center, and each walking route is provided with a corresponding counterweight block.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, a plurality of the walking routes form a walking network on the inner side of the arch, and the counterweight block is configured to be movable from one walking route to another walking route.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the monitoring unit includes a distance measuring device and / or a camera device.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic balancing and compensating method for gas pressure rising of an LNG storage tank. The method is carried out using the above-mentioned automatic balancing and compensating system for gas pressure rising of an LNG storage tank, and includes the following steps: during the rising process of the arch, the monitoring unit of the control component obtains the real-time posture of the arch; the processing unit calculates the balance compensation amount according to the real-time posture and sends a driving signal to the driving part; the driving part receives the driving signal and drives the counterweight block to move along the walking route to a designated stop position in the arch.

[0013] In one or more embodiments, the method for calculating the designated stop position is as follows: the processing unit calculates the offset and offset direction of the arch through the real-time posture; according to the principle of moment balance, the offset and the offset direction are used to calculate the compensation torque required for the arch to restore balance; based on the compensation torque and the weight of the counterweight block, the designated stop position is calculated.

[0014] In one or more embodiments, when the central gas pressure lifting method of the LNG storage tank is adopted, a guide rail is used as the walking route; when the edge gas pressure lifting method of the LNG storage tank is adopted, a wire rope is used as the walking route.

[0015] The above-mentioned automatic balancing and compensation system and method for gas pressure lifting of LNG storage tanks utilize the principle of torque balance. A counterweight mechanism that can move by itself is arranged inside the arch before lifting. During the lifting process, the numerical values ​​fed back from various monitoring points on the arch are used to automatically compensate for the weight of the arch sites whose postures are not in the same plane, thereby restoring the balance of the arch and overcoming the offset. The arch can be regarded as a rigid body. When one end of a certain position of the arch is tilted upward, the other end must move downward. The counterweight will move along the upward end of the arch, thereby automatically offsetting the balance deviation of the arch. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The above and other features, properties and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent through the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the central gas pressure lifting process of a traditional LNG storage tank;

[0018] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the edge-type gas pressure lifting process of a traditional LNG storage tank;

[0019] Figure 3A 、 3B This is a schematic diagram of the guide rail and the counterweight;

[0020] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the steel wire rope and the counterweight;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a flow chart of the automatic balancing compensation method for gas pressure rise in LNG storage tanks;

[0022] Figure 6 It is the logic diagram of the automatic balance compensation method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention is further described below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. More details are set forth in the following description to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can obviously be implemented in a variety of other ways different from the description herein. Those skilled in the art can make similar generalizations and deductions based on actual application situations without violating the connotation of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should not be limited by the content of this specific embodiment.

[0024] It should be noted that these and other subsequent drawings are only examples and are not drawn to scale, and should not be used to limit the actual scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0025] The top of the LNG storage tank is a rigid dome with a large mass and a high altitude from the ground. It is usually lifted by air pressure. Common lifting methods are as follows: Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a concrete wall 105 forms a perimeter wall, and a ceiling panel 104 is provided. A fan is used to continuously blow air into the perimeter wall, creating wind pressure within the perimeter wall. This pressure inflates the ceiling panel 104, and the vault 10 also rises due to this wind pressure. The air jacking method generally requires the use of sealing devices and balancing devices to prevent the tank from tilting, shifting, and leaking during the jacking process.

[0026] Traditional balancing devices such as Figure 1 As shown, the system includes a steel wire rope 101, a T-shaped frame 106, and a wheel 102 arranged outside the arch 10. The T-shaped frame 106 is fixed in the concrete wall 105 by a lifting lug 107. In this way, the force generated by the tilting and deflection of the tank body is transmitted to the pair of T-shaped frames 106 via the wheel 102 and the steel wire rope 101. With the help of the tension of the steel wire rope 101 and the force transmission of the T-shaped frame 106, the mutual interaction of forces is realized to achieve balance.

[0027] During the pressure-lift process of the dome 10, tilting and deflection are inevitable. The disclosed automatic balancing and compensation system for pressure-lift of LNG storage tanks uses a different principle and design from traditional balancing methods, effectively preventing dome tilt and automatically, promptly, and accurately adjusting the dome's posture.

[0028] Refer to Figure 3- Figure 6 It is understood that the automatic balancing and compensation system for gas pressure lifting of the LNG storage tank includes a control component 11 and a counterweight adjustment component 12.

[0029] The control component 11 includes a monitoring unit and a processing unit. The monitoring unit is used to detect the real-time posture of the tank dome 10 during the lifting process, and the processing unit is used to calculate the balance compensation amount according to the real-time posture.

[0030] For example, in some embodiments, the monitoring unit includes a distance measuring device and / or a camera. The distance measuring device collects distance data, such as height and width, at different locations on the vault. By calculating this distance data, the offset and direction of the vault can be determined. The camera can take real-time photos of the vault and perform image processing on the vault outline in the photos, thereby determining parameters such as the vault's posture, offset, and direction in real time.

[0031] Distance measuring equipment includes but is not limited to laser distance measuring equipment, ultrasonic distance measuring equipment, grating or magnetic scale distance measuring equipment.

[0032] The counterweight adjustment assembly 12 includes a counterweight 121, a driver 122, and a travel path 123. The travel path 123 is located on the arch 10, such as on the arch longitudinal beams or inner and outer rails within the arch, or can be located externally. The driver 122 can be a drive motor, connected to the control assembly signal, and is used to drive or pull the counterweight 121 along the travel path according to the processing signal of the processing unit, as shown in the direction P.

[0033] The counterweight 121 adjusts its position by moving along the path. When it reaches the designated position calculated by the processing unit, this position becomes a torque-stable position. It can then apply a balance compensation amount to the dome through torque to automatically adjust the offset of the dome 10. In other words, the dome can be considered a rigid body. When one end of the dome tilts upward, the other end must also move downward. The self-moving counterweight will move along the tilted end of the dome, thereby offsetting the dome's balance deviation. By utilizing the principle of torque balance, weight compensation is applied to the dome's locations that are not in the same plane, preventing the dome from tilting.

[0034] For example, in some embodiments, the walking route 123 is as follows Figure 3A and 3BThe guide rail 1231 shown is, for example, a toothed guide rail, and the counterweight 121 is movably mounted on the guide rail 1231. During tank vault construction, the guide rails are evenly distributed below the vault beams, near the vault center; alternatively, the racks are positioned above the vault, offset from the balancing wire ropes used for lifting the vault. Counterweights are then mounted at the ends of the guide rails, with the weight of the counterweights selected as needed.

[0035] During the roof raising process, the measured inclination is calculated, and the self-balancing weight originally located near the upward inclination of the arch moves from the center edge guide rail to the edge of the arch by the drive or traction of the driving member. This plays a role in compensating the balance of the arch. After the roof raising is completed, when the center pulley block is removed, the constraints of the guide rail beam head are released and the guide rail is taken out through the center ring hole. Figure 1 When using the central gas pressure lifting method for the LNG tank shown, it is preferred to use a guide rail as the walking route.

[0036] In other embodiments, Figure 4 As shown, the walking route 123 is a steel wire rope 101, which is fixed to the inside of the arch 10 through a hanging point, and the counterweight 121 is suspended on the steel wire rope 101. Figure 2 When using the LNG tank edge-type gas pressure lifting method shown, it is preferred to use a wire rope as the walking route.

[0037] During the construction of the tank vault, the pulleys 19 are evenly distributed and arranged below the center ring of the beam of the vault 10. The wire rope 101 passes through the pulleys 19, and the other part of the wire rope is wound on the winder 18. The wire rope forms a closed loop on the pulleys 19 and the winder 18. Near the center of the vault, that is, near the pulley 19, as shown in the following figure: Figure 4 In the structure shown, a counterweight 121 is fixed on a steel wire rope. When the top is raised, the inclination is measured and calculated. Through the control assembly and the drive member, the counterweight 121 near the upward inclination of the arch is driven to move from the center to the edge of the arch, thereby playing a role in compensating the balance of the arch.

[0038] Taking the center of the dome as the center of the moment, the distance from the counterweight to the center of the dome will significantly affect the magnitude of the moment, and thus the accuracy of the compensation. Therefore, the installation position of the walking line needs to cover as much of the interior of the dome as possible to achieve a more precise compensation effect.

[0039] For example, the first and second endpoints of the travel paths are the inner center and radial edge of the dome, respectively. Multiple travel paths are evenly distributed circumferentially within the dome, centered about the inner center. Each travel path is equipped with a corresponding counterweight. For example, eight symmetrically mounted guide rails 1231 are arranged at 40-degree intervals around the 360-degree circumference of the dome, with only one shown in Figure 3. This allows adjustments based on the size of the tank dome, by selecting different numbers of guide rails and counterweights to meet the pressure rise compensation requirements of tanks of varying sizes.

[0040] For example, multiple travel paths form a network inside the vault, and the counterweight is designed to be movable from one path to another, increasing its range of motion. During the roof raising process, the counterweight moves to different positions on the network, compensating for torque differences in the vault counterweight during or before the vault is raised.

[0041] In some embodiments, the counterweight 121 can also be configured as an interchangeable structure, with counterweights of different masses being prepared. Since the weight of the counterweight is also an important factor affecting the torque, counterweights 121 of different weights can be used for vaults of different specifications.

[0042] Therefore, during the gas-pressure lifting process of the LNG storage tank, the automatic balancing and compensation system for gas-pressure lifting of the dome monitors the elevation and posture of each point on the dome through the monitoring unit, calculates the balance compensation amount in real time through the processing unit, and uses the counterweight to move itself to the corresponding torque-stable position, thereby ensuring that the torque value of each direction of the dome is 0. By using the principle of torque balance, the tilt of the dome caused by various reasons during the lifting process is automatically and in real time compensated, effectively improving the balance accuracy of the dome during gas-pressure lifting. Furthermore, no manual intervention is required throughout the entire process, simplifying the installation process and improving safety during construction.

[0043] Combined with the above introduction to the automatic balancing compensation system for gas pressure rise of LNG storage tanks, we can also understand an automatic balancing compensation method for gas pressure rise of LNG storage tanks. Figure 5 and Figure 6 It is understood that the method includes the following steps: during the rising process of the arch, using the detection unit of the control component to obtain the real-time posture of the arch; using the processing unit to calculate the balance compensation amount according to the real-time posture, and sending a driving signal to the driving part; using the driving part to receive the driving signal, and drive the counterweight block to move along the walking route to the designated stop position in the arch.

[0044] The designated dwell position is the moment equilibrium position of the balanced dome. This position is calculated as follows: the processing unit calculates the dome's offset and direction based on the real-time posture. Based on the moment equilibrium principle, the offset magnitude and direction are used to calculate the compensating torque required to restore the dome's equilibrium. Based on the compensating torque and the weight of the counterweight, the designated dwell position, representing the distance from the dome's center, is finally calculated.

[0045] This method fully considers the process and technology of pneumatic lifting, as well as the actual operating environment, and specifically addresses the causes of vault tilt during the lifting process. Counterweights are used to automatically compensate for any tilt that occurs during the lifting process, improving the vault's balance accuracy. This method offers a profound optimization of the previously extensive counterweight arrangement, providing dynamic balance compensation for the vault without affecting its movement during the lifting process. Dynamic compensation during the lifting process not only meets the construction requirements of personnel during operation, but also avoids the difficulty of subsequent removal.

[0046] This application uses specific terms to describe the embodiments of this application. For example, "one embodiment," "an embodiment," and / or "some embodiments" refer to a certain feature, structure, or characteristic associated with at least one embodiment of this application. Therefore, it should be emphasized and noted that "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or "an alternative embodiment" mentioned twice or multiple times in different locations in this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, certain features, structures, or characteristics in one or more embodiments of this application may be appropriately combined.

[0047] Although the present invention is disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, this is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art may make possible changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent variations, and modifications made to the above embodiments in accordance with the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention shall fall within the scope of protection defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. The automatic balancing and compensation system for LNG tank gas pressure rise is characterized by: include: A control component includes a monitoring unit and a processing unit, wherein the monitoring unit is used to detect the real-time posture of the tank dome during the roof raising process, and the processing unit is used to calculate the balance compensation amount according to the real-time posture; A counterweight adjustment assembly, comprising a counterweight, a driving member, and a travel path, wherein the travel path is arranged on the arch, and the driving member is connected to the control assembly by signal, and is used to drive the counterweight to move automatically along the travel path according to the signal from the processing unit; The counterweight adjusts its position by moving along the walking route, and applies a balance compensation to the arch by means of moment balance, so as to automatically adjust the offset of the arch; The counterweight block can be replaced on the walking route.

2. The automatic balancing and compensating system for gas pressure rise of LNG storage tanks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The walking line is a guide rail, which is arranged inside or outside the arch, and the counterweight block is movably arranged on the guide rail.

3. The automatic balancing and compensating system for gas pressure rise of LNG storage tanks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The walking line is a steel wire rope, the steel wire rope is fixed inside the arch through a hanging point, and the counterweight is suspended on the steel wire rope.

4. The automatic balancing and compensating system for gas pressure rise of LNG storage tanks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first endpoint and the second endpoint of the walking line are respectively the inner center of the arch and the radial edge of the arch. Multiple walking lines are evenly distributed in the arch around the inner center, and each walking line is provided with a corresponding counterweight block.

5. The automatic balancing and compensating system for gas pressure rise of LNG storage tanks according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of walking routes form a walking network on the inner side of the arch, and the counterweight block is configured to be movable from one walking route to another.

6. The automatic balancing and compensating system for gas pressure rise of LNG storage tanks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The monitoring unit includes a distance measuring device and / or a camera device.

7. Automatic balancing and compensation method for gas pressure rise of LNG storage tank, characterized by: The method is performed using the automatic balancing and compensation system for gas pressure rise of the LNG storage tank according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the following steps: During the ascending process of the dome, the monitoring unit of the control assembly is enabled to obtain the real-time posture of the dome; causing the processing unit to calculate a balance compensation amount according to the real-time posture and send a driving signal to the driving member; The driving member receives the driving signal and drives the counterweight to move along the travel route to a designated stop position in the arch.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The calculation method of the designated stop position is: The processing unit calculates the offset and offset direction of the vault according to the real-time posture; According to the moment balance principle, the compensation moment required for the arch to restore balance is calculated using the offset amount and the offset direction; The designated stopping position is calculated according to the compensation torque and the weight of the counterweight.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein When using the central gas pressure lifting method for LNG storage tanks, the guide rail is used as the walking route; When using the LNG tank edge-type gas pressure lifting method, a wire rope is used as the walking route.

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