Spherical tank supporting structure, storage and transportation system and manufacturing method of storage and transportation system

Abstract

The invention discloses a spherical tank supporting structure, a storage and transportation system and a manufacturing method thereof.The spherical tank supporting structure comprises a transition piece, a skirt shell section and a basic annular plate, the transition piece is welded to a lower pole spherical shell of a spherical tank through a butt joint, smooth transition is achieved between the transition piece and the spherical tank, and the upper end of the skirt shell section is welded to the lower end of the transition piece; the lower end of the skirt shell ring is welded with the foundation ring plate; according to the supporting structure, the transition piece and the spherical tank are in smooth transition, a stress concentration system at the transition position is reduced, the fatigue life of equipment under pressure circulation is prolonged, the transition piece and the spherical tank are welded through the butt joint, a welding seam for connecting the transition piece and the spherical shell is eliminated, welding defects and heat affected zones at the connecting position are fundamentally eradicated, and the service life of the equipment is prolonged. The reliability of the supporting structure is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of spherical storage tank structure design technology, and in particular to a spherical tank support structure, a storage and transportation system, and a method for manufacturing the storage and transportation system. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the hydrogen energy industry, the application of high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks (especially large spherical tanks) is becoming increasingly widespread. Hydrogen gas is characterized by its small molecular size, ease of leakage, and flammability and explosiveness, placing extremely high demands on the safety of storage tanks.

[0003] Tank supports are structural components in spherical tanks used to support the tank's own mass and the mass of stored materials. They are the core load-bearing components connecting the tank to the foundation, and their reliability is directly related to the safety of the entire storage and transportation system.

[0004] Currently, spherical tank supports mainly include column supports and skirt supports. Traditional column supports and skirt supports have the following inherent drawbacks when used for high-pressure hydrogen spherical tanks: 1. Stress Concentration Problem: Traditional skirt-type or column-type supports are directly welded to the spherical shell. The weld joint has a significant geometrical continuity zone, forming high stress concentration points. In a hydrogen environment, the hydrogen embrittlement effect is significantly aggravated, making it extremely easy for cracks to be induced and propagated in these stress concentration areas, leading to catastrophic failure.

[0005] 2. Weld quality issues: The welds connecting the skirt and the spherical shell are mostly assembled on-site. The welding quality is greatly affected by environmental, process, and human factors, making it difficult to guarantee the defect rate. Any tiny welding defect, under the combined action of alternating loads (such as pressure fluctuations) and a hydrogen environment, can become a gas source for fatigue cracks.

[0006] 3. High manufacturing and inspection complexity: The complex welded joints cannot be subjected to volumetric testing, and the quality of the welded joints between the support and the spherical shell plate is uncertain.

[0007] 4. Discontinuous material properties: The mechanical properties (especially toughness) of the material in the heat-affected zone of the weld will decrease, becoming a weak link in the entire structure. Summary of the Invention

[0008] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this application is to provide a spherical tank support structure, a storage and transportation system and a manufacturing method thereof, which aims to optimize the connection weld between the spherical tank and the support structure and eliminate welding defects and heat-affected zones.

[0009] Another objective of this application is to reduce the stress concentration factor at the connection between the spherical tank and the supporting structure.

[0010] Another objective of this application is to improve the resistance to hydrogen embrittlement and fatigue life of the support structure under high-pressure hydrogen environment.

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution: This application discloses a support structure for a spherical tank, including a transition member, a skirt support section, and a base ring plate; the transition member is welded to the lower spherical shell of the spherical tank via a butt joint, and the transition member and the spherical tank are smoothly connected; the upper end of the skirt support section is welded to the lower end of the transition member, and the lower end of the skirt support section is connected to the base ring plate. In some embodiments of this application, the transition member is configured as an annular member, and the upper end of the transition member is connected to the spherical tank by a circumferential weld.

[0012] In some embodiments of this application, the surface of the transition member is configured as a smoothly transitioned curved surface.

[0013] In some embodiments of this application, the transition member includes a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion arranged sequentially. The first connecting portion is connected to the spherical tank, and the second connecting portion is connected to the skirt support section. The first connecting portion has an arc surface on the side facing the spherical tank that is adapted to the outer surface of the spherical tank. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion have a smooth transition, and the outer diameter of the second connecting portion gradually decreases from top to bottom.

[0014] In some embodiments of this application, the first connecting portion is inclined relative to the second connecting portion, and the included angle between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is less than 90 degrees.

[0015] In some embodiments of this application, in the axial cross-section of the transition member, a first transition curve toward the inner side of the support structure and a second transition curve toward the outer side of the support structure are formed between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, wherein the radius of the first transition curve is smaller than the radius of the second transition curve.

[0016] In some embodiments of this application, the transition member is an integrally formed structural component.

[0017] In some embodiments of this application, the transition piece is a forging.

[0018] This application also discloses a storage and transportation system, which includes a spherical tank and a support structure as described in any of the preceding claims, the support structure being welded to the bottom of the spherical tank for supporting the spherical tank.

[0019] This application also discloses a method for manufacturing a storage and transportation system, the method being used to prepare the storage and transportation system as described above, the method comprising the following steps: The transition piece is prepared by forging. The upper end of the transition piece is welded to the lower spherical shell of the spherical tank using a butt joint. The lower end of the transition piece is welded to the upper end of the skirt support section; The lower end of the skirt support section is welded to the base ring plate.

[0020] Beneficial effects: The support structure provided in this application uses a butt joint weld between the transition piece and the lower spherical shell of the spherical tank, eliminating the weld seam between the support structure and the spherical tank, avoiding welding defects and heat-affected zones at the connection, and the smooth transition between the transition piece and the spherical tank greatly reduces the stress concentration factor and improves the fatigue life of the support structure.

[0021] The storage and transportation system provided in this application uses the above-mentioned support structure to support the spherical tank. The system has a low stress concentration and good resistance to hydrogen embrittlement and fatigue life under high-pressure hydrogen environment.

[0022] The manufacturing method of the storage and transportation system provided in this application has a simple manufacturing process and improves the structural consistency and reliability of the storage and transportation system. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage and transportation system provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the support structure provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a storage and transportation system according to an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Explanation of key component symbols: 100. Spherical tank; 200. Supporting structure; 1. Transition component; 11. First connecting part; 12. Second connecting part; 13. First transition curve; 14. Second transition curve; 2. Skirt base tube section; 3. Foundation ring plate; 4. Anchor bolt seat. Detailed Implementation

[0027] This application provides a spherical tank support structure, a storage and transportation system, and a manufacturing method thereof. To make the objectives, technical solutions, and effects of this application clearer and more explicit, the following detailed description is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0028] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "left," and "right," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or a specific orientational structure and operation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. Furthermore, "first" and "second" are only for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more.

[0029] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between them; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication between two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the storage and transportation system provided in this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the supporting structure provided in this application.

[0031] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 This application provides a storage and transportation system, including a spherical tank 100 and a support structure 200. The spherical tank 100 can be used to store gaseous and liquid substances, such as high-pressure hydrogen, liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, liquid nitrogen, and liquid oxygen. The support structure 200 is welded to the bottom of the spherical tank 100 and serves as the core load-bearing component between the spherical tank 100 and the foundation (not shown in the figure), supporting the spherical tank 100.

[0032] Specifically, the support structure 200 includes a transition piece 1, a skirt support section 2, and a base ring plate 3. The transition piece 1 is welded to the lower spherical shell of the spherical tank 100 via a butt joint, and the transition piece 1 and the spherical tank 100 have a smooth transition. The upper end of the skirt support section 2 is welded to the lower end of the transition piece 1, and the lower end of the skirt support section 2 is connected to the base ring plate 3.

[0033] When a storage and transportation system is used to store high-pressure hydrogen, the hydrogen embrittlement effect is significantly aggravated in the hydrogen environment. If there is an angle at the connection between the support structure 200 and the spherical tank 100, a stress concentration zone can easily form, inducing and propagating cracks, posing a safety hazard. Furthermore, weld defects, under the combined effects of alternating loads and the hydrogen environment, can become a source of fatigue cracks. This application uses a transition piece 1 connected to the lower spherical shell of the spherical tank 100, ensuring a perfect fit between the support structure 200 and the lower spherical shell of the spherical tank 100. In addition, a seamless connection between the support structure 200 and the spherical tank 100 is achieved through a butt joint welding process. This smooth transition design effectively reduces stress concentration and improves structural safety.

[0034] As a key component of the support structure 200, the skirt support section 2 is made of carefully selected material and thickness to withstand the weight of the spherical tank 100 and the contents stored inside, while ensuring stability under various working conditions.

[0035] The connection between the foundation ring plate 3 and the foundation is made of high-strength bolts, which ensures a firm bond between the entire support structure 200 and the ground.

[0036] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the support structure 200 also includes anchor bolt seats 4, and the skirt support cylinder is connected to the foundation ring plate 3 via the anchor bolt seats 4 and anchor bolts. The design of the anchor bolt seats 4 ensures that the force borne by the skirt support cylinder can be evenly transmitted to the foundation ring plate 3. The anchor bolts can be made of high-strength, corrosion-resistant materials, ensuring connection strength while adapting to various complex environmental conditions. Through the cooperation of the anchor bolt seats 4 and the anchor bolts, the stability of the connection between the entire support structure 200 and the foundation ring plate 3 is further enhanced, effectively avoiding loosening that may occur due to external forces or long-term use, and providing a reliable guarantee for the safe and stable operation of the spherical tank 100.

[0037] In some embodiments, the support structure 200 also includes rubber shock absorbers (not shown in the figure), one end of which is connected to the foundation ring plate 3, and the other end is connected to the ground foundation. The number of rubber shock absorbers can be determined by the overall load-bearing capacity of the container, the local seismic intensity, and the size of the skirt foundation ring plate 3.

[0038] Transition component 1 is designed as a ring-shaped component, with its upper end connected to the spherical tank 100 via a circumferential weld. The lower end of transition component 1 is welded to the skirt support section via a butt joint. The circumferential weld connection has high strength, the weld material is similar to wood, resulting in strong load-bearing capacity, good overall structural integrity after welding, and a significant contribution to rigidity. This makes the connection between the spherical tank 100 and the skirt support section more stable and reliable. The transition function of the ring-shaped component effectively disperses the force transmitted from the spherical tank 100, reduces local stress concentration, and thus extends the service life of the entire support structure 200.

[0039] In some embodiments, the transition member 1 is a one-piece molded structural component. The one-piece molded structure means that the entire transition member 1 has no welded joints, has strong integrity, and avoids safety hazards caused by cracks in the welds.

[0040] In some embodiments, the transition piece 1 may be a forging. The transition section is an annular piece integrally manufactured through a large-scale forging process. The upper part of the forging is smoothly connected to the lower spherical shell of the spherical tank 100 via a gradual transition, and the lower part of the forging is smoothly connected to the skirt support cylinder section 2.

[0041] Forging processes enable a denser metal structure in the transition piece 1, improving its mechanical properties such as strength and toughness. The upper part of the forging smoothly connects to the lower spherical shell of the spherical tank 100 via a gradual transition, while the lower part smoothly connects to the skirt support section 2. This not only enhances the aesthetics of the connection but also effectively prevents stress concentration. Compared to traditional abrupt connections, this smooth connection method better distributes the load, further enhancing the stability and reliability of the connection between the spherical tank 100 and the supporting structure 200. Simultaneously, as the transition piece 1, the forging exhibits superior overall performance compared to a transition structure assembled from multiple components, reducing potential failure points at the connection and improving the safety and service life of the entire spherical tank 100 and supporting structure 200.

[0042] The surface of transition component 1 is set as a smoothly transitioning curved surface. Both the inner and outer surfaces of transition component 1 are set as smoothly transitioning curved surfaces, so that a continuous and smooth geometry is formed between the spherical shell and the skirt support cylinder section, avoiding any abrupt changes in right angles or sharp angles, thereby greatly reducing stress concentration.

[0043] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the transition member 1 includes a first connecting part 11 and a second connecting part 12 arranged in sequence. The first connecting part 11 is connected to the spherical tank 100, and the second connecting part 12 is connected to the skirt support section 2. The side of the first connecting part 11 facing the spherical tank 100 forms an arc surface that is adapted to the outer surface of the spherical tank 100. The first connecting part 11 and the second connecting part 12 are smoothly transitioned, and the outer diameter of the second connecting part 12 gradually decreases from top to bottom.

[0044] The first connecting part 11 has an arc surface on the side facing the spherical tank 100 that matches the outer surface of the spherical tank 100. This allows the transition piece 1 to fit better with the spherical tank 100 and the skirt support section 2 when connected, ensuring a tight and stable connection. The smooth transition between the first connecting part 11 and the second connecting part 12 not only enhances the aesthetics of the overall structure but, more importantly, effectively disperses stress at the connection point, preventing structural damage caused by stress concentration. The design of the second connecting part 12, with its outer diameter gradually decreasing from top to bottom, allows the transition piece 1 to better transfer force to the skirt support section 2 when bearing load, further enhancing the load-bearing capacity and stability of the spherical tank 100 support structure 200.

[0045] In some embodiments, the first connecting portion 11 is inclined relative to the second connecting portion 12, and the included angle between the first connecting portion 11 and the second connecting portion 12 is less than 90 degrees.

[0046] The inclined arrangement of the first connecting part 11 and the second connecting part 12, along with the defined included angle, optimizes the force distribution of the transition piece 1. When the spherical tank 100 is subjected to various external forces, the inclined first connecting part 11 can more rationally guide the direction of force transmission, making the force transmission to the second connecting part 12 and the skirt support section 2 more uniform and smooth, reducing the situation of excessive local stress. The included angle between the first connecting part 11 and the second connecting part 12 is less than 90 degrees, that is, the angle corresponding to the arc connecting the first connecting part 11 and the second connecting part 12 is less than 90 degrees. This connection angle, while ensuring structural strength, helps to reduce the weight of the transition piece 1 itself, reduce material costs, and to a certain extent improves the flexibility and adaptability of the entire spherical tank 100 support structure 200, enabling it to better cope with complex stress conditions under different working conditions.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, in the axial section of the transition member 1, a first transition curve 13 toward the inside of the support structure 200 and a second transition curve 14 toward the outside of the support structure 200 are formed between the first connecting part 11 and the second connecting part 12. The radius of the first transition curve 13 is smaller than the radius of the second transition curve 14.

[0048] This design further optimizes the mechanical properties of the transition component 1. The first transition curve 13, facing inwards towards the support structure 200, has a smaller radius, giving the transition component 1 stronger local compressive strength near the center of the support structure 200, effectively coping with the concentrated stress generated during pressure transmission within the spherical tank 100. The second transition curve 14, facing outwards towards the support structure 200, has a larger radius. While ensuring overall structural stability, it provides better flexible buffer space for the transition component 1. When the spherical tank 100 is subjected to external impacts or thermal expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes, the second transition curve 14 can absorb and disperse energy through a certain deformation, preventing the transition component 1 from being damaged due to stress concentration. Furthermore, this design of transition curves with different radii also improves the fatigue performance of the transition component 1 to a certain extent, extends its service life, and reduces the maintenance costs of the support structure 200 of the spherical tank 100 during long-term operation.

[0049] The corresponding arcs of the first transition curve 13 and the second transition curve 14 can be determined according to the size of the spherical tank 100. For example, for a 200m³ spherical tank 100, the arc corresponding to the first transition curve 13 is R200, and the arc corresponding to the second transition curve 14 is R350. For a 500m³ spherical tank 100, the arc corresponding to the first transition curve 13 is R300, and the arc corresponding to the second transition curve 14 is R420.

[0050] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating the manufacturing method of the storage and transportation system provided in this application.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, another aspect of this application provides a method for manufacturing a storage and transportation system. This method, used to prepare the aforementioned storage and transportation system, includes the following steps: S100, Transition part 1 is prepared by forging process.

[0052] Transition component 1 is manufactured using an integral forging process. Transition component 1 can be made of steel of the same grade as the lower spherical shell material of spherical tank 100, which has excellent hydrogen resistance.

[0053] By selecting steel of the same grade as the lower spherical shell material of the spherical tank 100, the transition piece 1 and the lower spherical shell of the spherical tank 100 can be better matched in terms of physical properties such as the coefficient of thermal expansion, reducing the additional stress caused by the difference in thermal expansion and contraction, and enhancing the stability of the entire support structure 200 of the spherical tank 100.

[0054] Meanwhile, the skirt support section can be made by welding rolled plates.

[0055] The skirt support cylinder section is made by welding rolled plates, which can flexibly adjust the size and specifications of the cylinder according to actual needs to meet the support requirements of 100 spherical tanks of different specifications. Moreover, the rolled plate welding process is mature, which is conducive to improving production efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0056] S200, The upper end of the transition piece 1 is welded to the lower spherical shell of the spherical tank 100 using a butt joint.

[0057] The butt joint welding method ensures a firm connection between the transition piece 1 and the lower spherical shell of the spherical tank 100. The weld has good sealing and strength, effectively preventing media leakage and ensuring the safety of the spherical tank 100 during operation.

[0058] S300, Weld the lower end of the transition piece 1 to the upper end of the skirt support section 2.

[0059] The lower end of the transition piece 1 is welded to the upper end of the skirt support cylinder 2, so that the transition piece 1 and the skirt support cylinder 2 form a stable integral structure, which can better bear the weight of the spherical tank 100 and its internal medium, as well as various external forces, and enhance the stability of the support structure 200 of the spherical tank 100.

[0060] S400, Weld the lower end of the skirt support cylinder section 2 to the base ring plate 3.

[0061] The base ring plate 3 provides a stable support foundation for the entire support structure 200 of the spherical tank 100. Through welding, the skirt support cylinder section 2 is tightly combined with the base ring plate 3, so that the weight of the spherical tank 100 is evenly transferred to the foundation, further ensuring the stable operation of the spherical tank 100.

[0062] When the storage and transportation system is installed, the various parts of the support structure 200 are connected together from top to bottom. On the critical load-bearing path of the entire support structure 200 (from the spherical shell to the skirt), the original weakest fillet weld is replaced by a strong, smooth one-piece forging, which is far away from the high stress concentration area, thus constructing a stable support structure 200 for the spherical tank 100 and ensuring the stable storage and transportation of the spherical tank 100.

[0063] In summary, this application utilizes a one-piece annular forging process to connect the lower spherical shell of the spherical tank to the skirt support section. This allows for a smooth, curved transition between the spherical tank and the skirt support section, eliminating areas of high stress concentration and improving the fatigue life of the equipment under pressure cycling. The one-piece transition component is forged in-house, ensuring stable quality and facilitating comprehensive non-destructive testing, thus avoiding the uncertainties associated with traditional welded support structures to the spherical shell. The forging offers superior reliability and safety, reducing downtime for inspection and extending equipment lifespan. From the perspective of the equipment's entire lifecycle, the overall cost is lower.

[0064] In addition, the spherical tank and the transition parts are welded together by butt joints, which eliminates the weld seam connecting the support structure and the spherical shell, where the stress is most concentrated and hydrogen embrittlement cracking is most likely to occur in the traditional structure, and greatly improves the inherent safety of the spherical tank.

[0065] It is understood that those skilled in the art can make equivalent substitutions or changes based on the technical solution and concept of this application, and all such substitutions or changes should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A support structure for a spherical tank, characterized in that, include: The transition piece is welded to the lower spherical shell of the spherical tank via a butt joint, and the transition piece and the spherical tank have a smooth transition. The upper end of the skirt support section is welded to the lower end of the transition piece; The base ring plate is connected to the lower end of the skirt support cylinder section.

2. The spherical tank support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transition piece is configured as a ring-shaped piece, and the upper end of the transition piece is connected to the spherical tank through a circumferential weld.

3. The spherical tank support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surface of the transition piece is set as a smoothly transitioning curved surface.

4. The spherical tank support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transition component includes a first connecting part and a second connecting part arranged in sequence. The first connecting part is connected to the spherical tank, and the second connecting part is connected to the skirt support section. The first connecting part has an arc surface on the side facing the spherical tank that is adapted to the outer surface of the spherical tank. The first connecting part and the second connecting part are smoothly transitioned, and the outer diameter of the second connecting part gradually decreases from top to bottom.

5. The spherical tank support structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first connecting portion is inclined relative to the second connecting portion, and the included angle between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is less than 90 degrees.

6. The spherical tank support structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, In the axial section of the transition member, a first transition curve toward the inner side of the support structure and a second transition curve toward the outer side of the support structure are formed between the first connecting part and the second connecting part, and the radius of the first transition curve is smaller than the radius of the second transition curve.

7. The spherical tank support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The transition component is a one-piece molded structural component.

8. The spherical tank support structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, The transition piece is a forging.

9. A storage and transportation system, characterized in that, It includes a spherical tank and a support structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, the support structure being welded to the bottom of the spherical tank for supporting the spherical tank.

10. A method for manufacturing a storage and transportation system, characterized in that, The manufacturing method for preparing the storage and transportation system as described in claim 9 includes the following steps: The transition piece is prepared by forging. The upper end of the transition piece is welded to the lower spherical shell of the spherical tank using a butt joint. The lower end of the transition piece is welded to the upper end of the skirt support section; The lower end of the skirt support section is welded to the base ring plate.

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