Air gap construction method for heat preservation of storage tank in coastal high-temperature and high-humidity environment

Abstract

The invention relates to an air gap construction method for heat preservation of a storage tank in a coastal high-temperature and high-humidity environment. The air gap construction method comprises the steps of construction preparation, supporting ring (frame) installation, heat preservation cotton installation construction, air gap forming construction, protection layer installation, protection layer lap joint gap sealing and inspection and acceptance. The air gap is formed between the heat preservation cotton and the protection layer, water circulation in the heat preservation system is broken, and water vapor is condensed on the protection layer and then flows to the tank bottom along the protection layer to be discharged. The heat preservation cotton is prevented from absorbing water, the problems that the heat conduction performance is reduced, the strength is weakened, the fire resistance degree is reduced and the like due to water absorption of the heat preservation cotton are solved, and the stability of various properties of the heat preservation cotton is guaranteed, so that a good heat preservation effect is maintained, the heat preservation cotton is prevented from being in a humid state for a long time, and contact between water and a storage tank shell is reduced; therefore, the oxidation corrosion speed of the storage tank shell is obviously slowed down, the service life of the storage tank is prolonged, and the maintenance cost and potential safety hazards caused by corrosion are reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of thermal insulation systems for storage tanks and equipment, and in particular to an air gap construction method for thermal insulation of storage tanks in coastal high-temperature and high-humidity environments. Background Art

[0002] In coastal areas with high temperatures and high humidity, the insulation systems of storage tanks and equipment face numerous challenges. Insulation foam is hydroscopic. Prolonged exposure to humidity can absorb significant amounts of water, leading to decreased thermal conductivity, reduced strength, reduced fire resistance, poor insulation effectiveness, and even mold growth. Furthermore, water accelerates metal oxidation. Because the insulation foam adheres closely to the metal shells of storage tanks and equipment, damp insulation can cause oxidation and corrosion, a phenomenon exacerbated in high-temperature coastal areas.

[0003] For example, Chinese Patent 202110839857.2 proposes an insulation structure and construction method for the longitudinal compartment of a cryogenic twin-body liquefied gas storage tank. This provides a reinforced longitudinal compartment insulation construction method. This maximizes the deformation resistance of the insulation in the twin-body tank's longitudinal compartment. The multi-layered crack-arresting mesh significantly enhances the overall tensile and crack resistance of the polyurethane insulation. The reinforced screws and flange plates effectively support the insulation weight. This eliminates the need for major changes to existing processes, maximizing cost savings and shortening manufacturing schedules.

[0004] However, traditional tank and equipment insulation systems operate in relatively isolated, closed environments. The insulation absorbs moisture, evaporates, condenses on the protective layer, and is then absorbed by the insulation, creating a water cycle that fails to fundamentally address the problem. Therefore, a new construction method is needed to break this water cycle and improve the performance of the insulation system and the lifespan of the equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In response to the shortcomings of the existing technology, the present invention provides an air gap construction method for thermal insulation of storage tanks in high temperature and high humidity coastal environments, which has the advantages of improving the performance of the insulation system and the service life of the equipment. It solves the problem that the traditional thermal insulation system of storage tanks and equipment is a relatively independent and closed environment, and the insulation cotton absorbs moisture, evaporates, condenses to the protective layer, and is then absorbed by the insulation cotton, forming a water cycle, which cannot be fundamentally solved.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an air gap construction method for thermal insulation of storage tanks in coastal high temperature and high humidity environments, including construction preparation, support ring (frame) installation, insulation cotton installation and construction, air gap formation construction, protective layer installation, protective layer overlap gap sealing and inspection and acceptance; by setting an air gap between the insulation cotton and the protective layer, the water circulation in the insulation system is broken, so that water vapor condenses in the protective layer and then flows down along the protective layer to the bottom of the tank for discharge.

[0007] Furthermore, the construction preparation includes organizational preparation, technical preparation and material preparation; organizational preparation requires the establishment of insulation quality assurance, safety and environmental protection organizations, and the deployment of professional management personnel, construction personnel and special workers; technical preparation requires familiarity with design documents and relevant specifications, the preparation of construction plans and submission to the supervisor and owner for approval, and the conduct of plan briefings and technical briefings after approval; material preparation requires the purchase of materials in advance, and the construction of temporary warehouses for rain- and moisture-sensitive materials to prevent rain and moisture.

[0008] Furthermore, when installing the support ring (frame), the support ring without special requirements needs to be welded to the storage tank and provided by the storage tank manufacturer; the support ring (frame) is arranged in one layer at a spacing of 2.5 to 3.5m; when the thickness of the insulation cotton exceeds 200mm, a stable support is installed.

[0009] Furthermore, during the installation and construction of the thermal insulation cotton, the thickness is set according to the design drawings. When the thickness is ≥100mm, the insulation cotton is layered and the thickness of each layer is the same. The construction order is from bottom to top, with a single-layer staggered spacing of ≥5cm, and double or multi-layer staggered layer by layer. The circumferential and longitudinal seams are ≤5mm, and the cutting gaps >5mm are filled with thermal insulation cotton of the same material in layers.

[0010] During the installation and construction of the insulation cotton, the tank skirt, support, etc. may not be insulated unless otherwise specified; the insulation layer shall not cover the nameplate. If the thickness is higher than the nameplate, the surrounding insulation layer shall be cut into a trumpet-shaped opening and a sealed rainproof cover shall be provided;

[0011] The thermal insulation cotton is fixed by bundling, and the material of the bundling is the same as that of the protective layer and the air gap strip; the spacing between the hard thermal insulation cotton bundling straps is ≯400mm, and the soft one is ≯200mm; there are no less than 2 straps per layer in the vertical direction, and no less than 3 straps when the width is greater than 800mm.

[0012] Furthermore, the air gap formation construction can adopt the air gap belt / air gap ring method, including the production and installation of air gap strips; the air gap strips are made of the same material as the protective layer, and are divided into an air gap layer and a reinforcement layer. The air gap layer is taken from a corrugated air gap plate, and the reinforcement layer is a flat iron sheet of the same thickness and the same size as the air gap layer.

[0013] Furthermore, in the production of the air gap strip, the length depends on the width of the air gap plate, which is generally 100 cm; the air gap layer and the reinforcement layer are connected with self-tapping screws, with a spacing of ≯500 mm, and each air gap strip has no less than 2 screws;

[0014] When installing the air gap strips, they are installed continuously in the circumferential direction to form an air gap belt / air gap ring, which is fixed on the thermal insulation cotton by self-tapping screws and is parallel to the circumferential seam of the protective layer; the upper and lower protective layers are overlapped on the same air gap ring / air gap belt, and a circle must be installed in the middle of each layer, leaving 5 cm as the overlap width of the upper layer.

[0015] Furthermore, the air gap formation construction can adopt the protective layer method, using magnesium-aluminum-zinc-plated tile edge plates to replace the air gap belt / air gap ring and the protective layer, and using the inherent prismatic gaps to form the air gap; the tile edge plates are cut into 3500mm short plates, constructed from bottom to top, overlapping 100mm longitudinally along the water flow, and overlapping one tile edge horizontally.

[0016] Furthermore, in the protective layer method, the tile edge plates are fixed longitudinally with self-tapping screws with a spacing of 15mm≤L≤20mm; they are tied circumferentially with strapping with a spacing of ≯500mm; and flat plates of the same material and thickness are used to replace difficult-to-construct areas such as skirts.

[0017] Furthermore, during the installation of the protective layer, the material thickness is selected according to the design, and the material is aluminum, coated steel or 316 stainless steel. Aluminum is preferred in coastal areas but is prohibited in fire-proof areas; construction is carried out from bottom to top, with circumferential overlap ≮50mm and staggered longitudinal seams, and longitudinal overlap ≥100mm and in line with the water flow; fixed with self-tapping screws with a spacing of 15mm≤L≤20mm, and no less than 5 screws for a 1m overlap; expansion joints are set and the overlaps are sealed with sealant; construction follows quality control points to ensure that the tank surface is dry and clean, the materials are qualified, the cutting is compliant, rain and wind protection is done well, and the protective layer is flat and beautiful.

[0018] Compared with the existing technology, the technical solution of this application has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] 1. The present invention breaks this cycle by providing an air gap, allowing water vapor to condense in the protective layer and then flow down along the protective layer to the bottom of the tank, preventing the insulation from absorbing moisture. This effectively prevents the problems of reduced thermal conductivity, strength, and fire resistance caused by water absorption, ensuring the stability of the insulation's various properties and maintaining excellent thermal insulation.

[0020] 2. The air gap design of the present invention prevents the insulation cotton from being in a wet state for a long time, reduces the contact between moisture and the tank shell, thereby significantly slowing down the oxidation corrosion rate of the tank shell, extending the service life of the tank, and reducing the maintenance cost and safety hazards caused by corrosion.

[0021] 3. The air gap strip / air gap ring method and air gap protective layer method provided by this invention can be flexibly selected according to actual construction requirements. The air gap strip / air gap ring method uses specially manufactured air gap strips to form air gaps, which is more reliable and better suited to scenarios with extremely high insulation requirements. The protective layer method uses tile edge panels to directly form air gaps, simplifying the construction process and shortening the construction period, making it suitable for projects with high construction efficiency requirements.

[0022] 4. By providing air gaps and rigorously implementing each step, the present invention's entire insulation system is better able to withstand the challenges of high-temperature, high-humidity coastal environments. This not only prevents damage to the insulation system caused by degradation of insulation foam and corrosion of the tank shell, but also reduces the risk of insulation failure due to environmental factors. This significantly improves the insulation system's long-term stability and durability, ensuring that the tank remains well insulated throughout its long-term use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the support ring of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a construction process diagram of the thermal insulation cotton of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the production and installation of the air gap strip of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a layout diagram of the air gap ring / air gap belt of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5 It is a construction process flow chart of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] 1. Construction Preparation

[0031] Organizational preparation: An insulation construction team consisting of a project manager, technical director, quality inspector, safety supervisor and various professional construction teams was established. Special workers (such as welders and crane operators) all hold valid job certificates, and the responsibilities of personnel in each position are clearly defined to ensure that the quality and safety of the construction process are effectively controlled.

[0032] Technical Preparation: Technical personnel were organized to thoroughly study the design documents and relevant specifications, including the "Industrial Equipment and Pipeline Insulation Engineering Construction Specifications." Based on the project's specific circumstances, a detailed construction plan was developed, clearly defining the construction process, technical parameters, and key quality control points. Once the plan was finalized, it was submitted to the supervisor and the client for approval. Upon approval, the plan and technical briefings were provided to the construction personnel to ensure that every member of staff was fully aware of the construction requirements and key operational points.

[0033] Material Preparation: According to the construction plan, we procured insulation, aluminum protective layers, air gap plates, self-tapping screws, strapping tape, and sealant in advance. We rigorously inspected all materials, requiring the insulation to have a thermal conductivity of ≤0.04W / (m·K) and a fire resistance rating of Class A. The aluminum protective layer's thickness met design requirements and exhibited good corrosion resistance. A temporary warehouse was also constructed, covered with a rainproof awning and equipped with moisture-proof mats. Rain- and moisture-sensitive materials like insulation were stored within the warehouse to prevent them from getting damp.

[0034] 2. Support ring (frame) installation

[0035] The tank insulation support rings for this project were provided by the tank manufacturer. Construction personnel cleaned the tank surface before installation to ensure the welding locations were free of oil, rust, and other impurities. The support rings were welded to the tanks at 3-meter intervals, with strict quality control during the welding process to avoid defects such as cold welds and leaks. For tanks with 250mm thick insulation, stabilizing supports were added to the insulation rings to ensure the stability of the insulation layer.

[0036] 3.Insulation cotton installation and construction

[0037] The thickness of the insulation cotton is set to 150mm according to the design drawings. Since the thickness is ≥100mm, it is set in layers, with each layer being 75mm thick.

[0038] The construction sequence follows from bottom to top. When installing a single layer of thermal insulation cotton, the staggered spacing is controlled at 6cm, and the double layer is staggered layer by layer to ensure that the connection between the thermal insulation cotton is tight and reduce heat loss.

[0039] The circumferential and longitudinal joints of the insulation cotton are controlled within 4mm. The gaps produced by cutting at structural positions such as manholes and brackets are 6mm, and the insulation cotton of the same material is used to fill them in layers to ensure the continuity of insulation.

[0040] The tank skirt, supports, and other parts were not insulated due to the lack of special design instructions. The insulation layer did not cover the tank nameplate after construction. Where the insulation thickness exceeded the nameplate, the insulation around the nameplate was cut into trumpet-shaped openings. These openings were trimmed and sealed with rain covers to prevent rainwater from entering.

[0041] The insulation is secured by bundling, using the same aluminum strapping material as the aluminum protective layer and air gap strips. The spacing between the rigid insulation straps is 350mm, while the spacing between the soft insulation straps is 180mm. Three straps are used for each vertical layer of insulation (because the insulation is 900mm wide, which is larger than 800mm). After tightening the straps, they are secured with dedicated buckles to ensure the insulation is firmly fixed to the tank surface.

[0042] 4. Air gap formation construction

[0043] Air Gap Belt / Air Gap Ring Method:

[0044] Air gap strips were constructed using the same material as the aluminum protective layer. The air gap layer was cut from purchased corrugated air gap panels. The reinforcement layer was constructed from flat iron sheets of the same thickness and size as the air gap layer. The air gap strip length was determined based on the width of the air gap panels: 2 meters, and the width was 100 cm. The air gap and reinforcement layers were connected with self-tapping screws, spaced 450 mm apart, with three screws installed per air gap strip.

[0045] Air Gap Strip Installation: Install the air gap strips continuously around the tank to form an air gap band / air gap ring. Fasten directly to the insulation using the self-tapping screws connecting the air gap layer and the reinforcement layer, ensuring that the air gap ring / air gap band is parallel to the annular seam of the protective layer. The upper and lower protective layers of the tank are vertically overlapped on the same air gap ring / air gap band. A circle of air gap ring / air gap strip is installed between each protective layer, leaving a 5cm overlap width for the previous protective layer. During installation, ensure that the horizontal deviation of the air gap band / air gap ring does not exceed 2mm / m. The air gap strips are tightly connected and the joints are sealed with sealant.

[0046] Protective layer method:

[0047] Magnesium-aluminum-zinc-plated tile ribs are used in place of the air gap bands / rings and protective layer. The thickness of the ribs is selected according to Table 1. The ribs are cut into 3500mm short panels. The installation sequence is from bottom to top, with a 100mm overlap longitudinally. Sealant is evenly applied within the overlap. Each rib is overlapped transversely and secured with self-tapping screws at a spacing of 250mm. Because tile ribs are difficult to install at the tank skirt, flat panels of the same material and thickness are used instead. The ribs are secured longitudinally with self-tapping screws at a spacing of 18mm and circumferentially with strapping at a spacing of 450mm.

[0048] 5. Protective layer installation

[0049] In this project, the protective layer is made of aluminum material, and its thickness is selected according to the outer diameter of the tank. For tanks with an outer diameter ≥ 500mm, the thickness of the protective layer is 1.0mm.

[0050] The protective layer is constructed from bottom to top, with a circumferential overlap width of 60mm and staggered longitudinal seams; the longitudinal overlap width is 120mm and is in the same direction as the water flow.

[0051] The protective layer is fixed with self-tapping screws with a spacing of 18 mm. When the continuous length of the overlap gap reaches 1 m, the number of self-tapping screws is 6.

[0052] Expansion joints were set up in accordance with the design requirements, with a spacing of 8m between them. Flexible insulation materials were filled in the expansion joints, and the protective layers on both sides were covered with special expansion joint covers, with an appropriate expansion gap left between the cover and the protective layer.

[0053] The circumferential and longitudinal lap joints of the protective layer are sealed with sealant to ensure a tight seal.

[0054] 6. Sealing and inspection of overlapping gaps in protective layer

[0055] After the protective layer's lap joints were sealed, the entire insulation system was thoroughly inspected and accepted. Inspections included: the tank surface was dry, clean, and free of contamination; the insulation material's material and performance met specifications and design requirements; both the insulation and protective layer were mechanically cut, with no traces of flame cutting; effective rain and wind protection measures were implemented during construction, and no damp or contaminated insulation was used; the protective layer surface was smooth and aesthetically pleasing, with no noticeable warping, unevenness, or deformation; and the protective layer's circumferential and longitudinal lap joints were tightly sealed with sealant.

[0056] After inspection, all indicators are in compliance with the design and specification requirements, and the tank insulation construction has passed the acceptance inspection.

[0057] Example 2: Storage tank insulation air gap construction

[0058] 2.1 Tank insulation air gap construction method (air gap belt / air gap ring method)

[0059] 2.1.1 Construction Process

[0060] Construction preparation - support ring (frame) installation - insulation cotton installation and construction - insulation cotton installation inspection and acceptance - air gap strip production and installation - protective layer installation - protective layer overlap gap sealing - inspection and acceptance.

[0061] 2.1.2 Construction preparation

[0062] (1) Organizational preparation

[0063] 1) Establish and improve insulation quality assurance, safety and environmental protection organizations.

[0064] 2) Make a good labor allocation plan, including professional management personnel, construction personnel, and special workers.

[0065] (2) Technical preparation

[0066] 1) Be familiar with the design documents and the relevant specifications specified in the design documents.

[0067] 2) Prepare a construction plan based on the design documents and relevant specifications, and submit it to the supervisor and the owner for approval. After the plan is approved, the plan and technical briefings will be completed before the next step of construction can be carried out.

[0068] (3) Material preparation

[0069] 1) Material preparation: Purchase insulation cotton, protective layer iron sheet, other construction equipment and tools in advance according to the construction plan.

[0070] 2) Temporary warehouses should be built in advance to protect thermal insulation cotton or other materials that are afraid of rain and moisture from rain and moisture.

[0071] 2.1.3 Support ring installation

[0072] (1) Unless there are special requirements, the tank insulation support ring must be welded to the tank. The tank insulation bracket or support ring shall be provided by the tank manufacturer.

[0073] (2) A layer of tank support ring (frame) is set up every 2.5 to 3.5 meters.

[0074] (3) When the thickness of the insulation cotton exceeds 200mm, it is necessary to install a stable support on the insulation ring, such as Figure 1 shown.

[0075] 2.1.4 Insulation cotton construction

[0076] (1) The thickness of the insulation cotton is set according to the design drawings. When the thickness of the insulation cotton is ≥100mm, it needs to be set in layers, and each layer has the same thickness.

[0077] (2) The thermal insulation cotton should be installed in a bottom-up order. The single-layer thermal insulation cotton should be installed with staggered seams, and the staggered seam spacing should not be less than 5cm. Double or multi-layer thermal insulation cotton should be installed with staggered seams layer by layer. Figure 2 shown.

[0078] (3) The circumferential and longitudinal joints of the insulation cotton should be ≤5mm. If the gap is greater than 5mm at the manhole, bracket or other structural position, the gap must be filled in layers with insulation cotton of the same material.

[0079] (4) Tank skirts, supports, lifting lugs, instrument bases, brackets, hangers, etc. do not need to be insulated unless otherwise specified in the design. If required by the design, they should be constructed according to the design requirements.

[0080] (5) The insulation layer after construction shall not cover the tank nameplate. When the thickness of the insulation layer is higher than the tank nameplate, the insulation layer around the nameplate can be cut into a trumpet-shaped opening, the opening should be regular, and a sealed rainproof cover should be installed.

[0081] (6) The insulation cotton is fixed by tying. The material of the insulation cotton tying tape is the same as that of the protective layer and the air gap strip. The spacing between the tying tapes varies according to the material of the insulation cotton. The spacing between the tying tapes of hard insulation cotton is ≤400mm, and the spacing between the tying tapes of soft insulation cotton is ≤200mm. There should be no less than 2 tying tapes for each layer of insulation cotton in the vertical direction. If the width of the insulation cotton is greater than 800mm, there should be no less than 3 tying tapes.

[0082] 2.1.5 Air gap strip production and installation

[0083] (1) In the insulation system, the air gap strip / air gap ring is an important component that separates the insulation cotton and the protective layer to form an air gap. The air gap strip is installed continuously in a circular manner on the storage tank to form the air gap strip / air gap ring.

[0084] (2) The material of the air gap strip is the same as that of the protective layer. The air gap strip is divided into two layers, namely the air gap layer and the reinforcement layer. The air gap layer is directly cut from the purchased corrugated air gap plate, and the reinforcement layer is made of flat iron sheet with the same thickness as the air gap layer, and its size is the same as the size of the air gap layer. The length of the air gap strip depends on the width of the air gap plate, and the width of the air gap strip is generally 100cm. The air gap layer and the reinforcement layer are connected with self-tapping screws. The spacing between the self-tapping screws of the air gap strip is ≯500mm, and each air gap strip has no less than 2 self-tapping screws, such as Figure 3 Said, wherein Figure 3 The air gap plate is on the left side of the middle image, and the air gap strip is on the right side.

[0085] (3) The air gap strips can be directly fixed on the thermal insulation cotton by connecting the air gap layer and the reinforcement layer with self-tapping screws. The air gap ring / air gap belt formed by the connection of the air gap strips is parallel to the annular seam of the protective layer.

[0086] (4) The upper and lower protective layers of the tank are overlapped on the same air gap ring / air gap belt. A circle of air gap ring / air gap belt must be installed in the middle of each protective layer. The layout diagram of the air gap ring / air gap belt is as follows: Figure 4 The blue shown is the air gap band / air gap ring.

[0087] 2.1.6 Construction of protective layer

[0088] (1) The thickness of the protective layer material is selected according to (Table 1). The protective layer material is generally aluminum, coated steel or 316 stainless steel. Aluminum protective layer has the advantage of being resistant to coastal atmospheric environment. Aluminum protective layer can be given priority in coastal areas. However, aluminum has a low melting point and is strictly prohibited in fire-proof, explosion-proof or fire-hazardous areas.

[0089]

[0090] Table 1

[0091] (2) The protective layer should be cut in advance and the circumferential and longitudinal ribs should be prefabricated.

[0092] (3) The protective layer is constructed from bottom to top, with the circumferential overlap of the protective layer ≮50mm, and the longitudinal joints formed by the circumferential overlap must be staggered; the longitudinal overlap is not less than 100mm, and the longitudinal overlap must be in the same direction as the water flow.

[0093] (4) The protective layer is fixed with self-tapping screws. The spacing between the self-tapping screws (L) is 15mm≤L≤20mm. When the continuous length of the overlap gap reaches 1m, the number of self-tapping screws is ≮5.

[0094] (5) Expansion joints need to be set in the protective layer of the tank.

[0095] Example 3: Storage Tank Insulation Air Gap Construction Method (Protective Layer Method)

[0096] 3.1.1 Construction Process

[0097] Construction preparation - support ring (frame) installation - insulation cotton installation and construction - insulation cotton installation inspection and acceptance - air gap protection layer installation - protective layer overlap gap sealing - inspection and acceptance.

[0098] 3.1.2 Construction of protective layer

[0099] Since the two construction methods only differ in the construction of the protective layer, the protective layer method will only explain the construction of the protective layer.

[0100] (1) The protective layer construction method is a construction method in which tile-edge plates are used instead of air gap strips / air gap rings and protective layers, and the air gaps are formed by the prismatic gaps in the tile-edge plates.

[0101] (2) The shape of the tile edge plate is similar to that of the air gap plate. This project uses a tile edge plate made of magnesium-aluminum-zinc plating, and the thickness is selected according to Table 1.

[0102] (3) For the convenience of construction, the tile edge plate is generally cut into short plates of 3500mm. The tile edge plate protective layer is constructed from bottom to top, with a longitudinal overlap of 100mm and a horizontal overlap of one tile edge.

[0103] (4) The tile edge plate is fixed longitudinally with self-tapping screws, and the spacing between the self-tapping screws (L) is 15mm≤L≤20mm; it is tied circumferentially with strapping, and the spacing between the strapping tapes is ≯500mm.

[0104] (5) When it is difficult to use tile-edge plates on the tank skirt or other locations, use flat plates of the same material and thickness instead, such as Figure 5 shown.

[0105] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, etc., are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply the existence of any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or device. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or device comprising the element.

[0106] While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An air gap construction method for thermal insulation of storage tanks in coastal high temperature and high humidity environments, characterized in that: It includes construction preparation, support ring (frame) installation, insulation cotton installation and construction, air gap formation construction, protective layer installation, protective layer overlap gap sealing and inspection and acceptance; by setting an air gap between the insulation cotton and the protective layer, the water circulation in the insulation system is broken, so that water vapor condenses in the protective layer and then flows down along the protective layer to the bottom of the tank for discharge.

2. The air gap construction method for thermal insulation of storage tanks in coastal high temperature and high humidity environments according to claim 1, characterized in that: The construction preparation includes organizational preparation, technical preparation and material preparation; organizational preparation requires the establishment of insulation quality assurance, safety and environmental protection organizations, and the deployment of professional management personnel, construction personnel and special workers; technical preparation requires familiarity with design documents and relevant specifications, the preparation of construction plans and submission to the supervisor and owner for approval, and the conduct of plan and technical briefings after approval; material preparation requires the purchase of materials in advance, and the construction of temporary warehouses for rain- and moisture-sensitive materials to prevent rain and moisture.

3. The air gap construction method for thermal insulation of storage tanks in coastal high temperature and high humidity environments according to claim 1, characterized in that: When installing the support ring (frame), the support ring without special requirements needs to be welded on the storage tank and provided by the storage tank manufacturer; the support ring (frame) is set in one layer at a spacing of 2.5 to 3.5m; when the thickness of the insulation cotton exceeds 200mm, a stable support is installed.

4. The air gap construction method for thermal insulation of storage tanks in coastal high temperature and high humidity environments according to claim 1, characterized in that: During the installation and construction of the thermal insulation cotton, the thickness is set according to the design drawings. When the thickness is ≥100mm, the insulation cotton is layered and the thickness of each layer is the same. The construction order is from bottom to top. The spacing of the staggered seams of a single layer is ≥5cm, and the staggered seams of double or multiple layers are layer by layer. The circumferential and longitudinal seams are ≤5mm. If the cutting gap is greater than 5mm, the insulation cotton of the same material is filled in layers. During the installation and construction of the insulation cotton, the tank skirt, support, etc. may not be insulated unless otherwise specified; the insulation layer shall not cover the nameplate. If the thickness is higher than the nameplate, the surrounding insulation layer shall be cut into a trumpet-shaped opening and a sealed rainproof cover shall be provided; The thermal insulation cotton is fixed by bundling, and the material of the bundling is the same as that of the protective layer and the air gap strip; the spacing between the hard thermal insulation cotton bundling straps is ≯400mm, and the soft one is ≯200mm; there are no less than 2 straps per layer in the vertical direction, and no less than 3 straps when the width is greater than 800mm.

5. The air gap construction method for thermal insulation of storage tanks in coastal high temperature and high humidity environments according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air gap formation construction can adopt the air gap belt / air gap ring method, including the production and installation of air gap strips; the air gap strips are made of the same material as the protective layer, and are divided into an air gap layer and a reinforcement layer. The air gap layer is taken from a corrugated air gap plate, and the reinforcement layer is a flat iron sheet of the same thickness and the same size as the air gap layer.

6. The air gap construction method for heat preservation of storage tanks in coastal high temperature and high humidity environments according to claim 5, characterized in that: The length of the air gap strips depends on the width of the air gap plate, which is generally 100 cm. The air gap layer and the reinforcement layer are connected with self-tapping screws with a spacing of ≯500 mm, and each air gap strip has no less than 2 screws. When installing the air gap strips, they are installed continuously in the circumferential direction to form an air gap belt / air gap ring, which is fixed on the thermal insulation cotton by self-tapping screws and is parallel to the circumferential seam of the protective layer; the upper and lower protective layers are overlapped on the same air gap ring / air gap belt, and a circle must be installed in the middle of each layer, leaving 5 cm as the overlap width of the upper layer.

7. The air gap construction method for thermal insulation of storage tanks in coastal high temperature and high humidity environments according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air gap formation construction can adopt the protective layer method, using magnesium-aluminum-zinc-plated tile edge plates to replace the air gap belt / air gap ring and the protective layer, and using the inherent prismatic gaps to form the air gap; the tile edge plates are cut into 3500mm short plates, constructed from bottom to top, overlapping 100mm longitudinally along the water flow, and overlapping one tile edge horizontally.

8. The air gap construction method for thermal insulation of storage tanks in coastal high temperature and high humidity environments according to claim 7, characterized in that: In the protective layer method, the tile edge plates are fixed longitudinally with self-tapping screws with a spacing of 15mm≤L≤20mm; they are tied circumferentially with strapping with a spacing of ≯500mm; and flat plates of the same material and thickness are used to replace difficult-to-construct areas such as skirts.

9. The air gap construction method for thermal insulation of storage tanks in coastal high temperature and high humidity environments according to claim 1, characterized in that: During the installation of the protective layer, the material thickness is selected according to the design. The material is aluminum, coated steel or 316 stainless steel. Aluminum is preferred in coastal areas but is prohibited in fire-proof areas. Construction is carried out from bottom to top, with circumferential overlap ≮50mm and staggered longitudinal seams, and longitudinal overlap ≥100mm and in line with the water flow. Fix with self-tapping screws with a spacing of 15mm≤L≤20mm, and no less than 5 screws for a 1m overlap. Expansion joints are set and the overlaps are sealed with sealant. Construction follows quality control points to ensure that the tank surface is dry and clean, the materials are qualified, the cutting is compliant, rain and wind protection is done well, and the protective layer is flat and beautiful.

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