Device and method for preventing deformation of storage tank

Abstract

The invention discloses a device and a method for preventing deformation of a storage tank. The device comprises a pressure regulating device arranged outside the storage tank, the pressure regulating device comprises a pressure regulating pipeline of which one end is communicated with the storage tank, an air compression part communicated with the other end of the pressure regulating pipeline and a pressure releasing unit communicated with the middle part of the pressure regulating pipeline; wherein the pressure relief unit comprises a manual emptying valve communicated with the pressure regulating pipeline, at least one automatic emptying valve communicated with the pressure regulating pipeline and a control cabinet for controlling the automatic emptying valve; a pressure transmitter is arranged between the automatic emptying valve and the storage tank; and the pressure transmitter and the automatic emptying valve are electrically connected with the control cabinet. The pressure regulating device automatically regulates the internal pressure of the storage tank, so that the internal pressure of the storage tank is maintained at 0.45 MPa, the pressure of the saddle on the inner wall of the storage tank is balanced, the inner wall of the storage tank is prevented from deforming, a reinforcing ring or a buffer block does not need to be arranged, and the material and manufacturing cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of liquid storage tank technology, and particularly relates to a device and method for preventing storage tank deformation. Background Technology

[0002] Thick walls in liquid storage tanks not only increase manufacturing costs but also lead to problems such as excessive weight, stress concentration, and construction defects, ultimately reducing safety. Conversely, thinner container walls, when filled with water, result in circumferential and tangential membrane shear stresses within the cylinder at the saddle cross-section under the reaction force of the saddle. These circumferential and tangential membrane shear stresses at the saddle corners reduce the cross-sectional area capable of withstanding axial bending moments, causing the cylinder to collapse. Current solutions involve adding reinforcing rings to the wooden saddle location and other areas within the inner container to compensate for these stresses. After strain hardening, the deformation is smaller in areas with reinforcing rings and larger in areas without them, resulting in uneven cylinder deformation. Furthermore, the double-sided full welding of the reinforcing rings to the cylinder requires significant time and material costs.

[0003] Chinese patent document CN212448987U discloses a tank external insulation system capable of mitigating stress deformation. The system includes two saddles at the lower end of the tank, with an insulating foam layer sandwiched between the saddles on the outer bottom surface of the tank. Several buffer blocks are placed inside the insulating foam layer near the outer bottom surface of the tank. Compared to existing technologies, by adding buffer blocks within the insulating foam layer between the saddles, the thermal stress on the insulating foam layer under drastic temperature differences is reduced, while deformation is absorbed. This effectively prevents the insulating foam layer from cracking and detaching due to stress.

[0004] The aforementioned patented solution, which adds a buffer block between the saddle and the container, is a passive protection method that does not optimize stress distribution from a mechanical perspective. It only addresses the symptoms, not the root cause, and instead causes drawbacks in four core dimensions: load-bearing reliability, stability, maintenance costs, and long-term safety. Specifically, the buffer block material is prone to creep and permanent deformation, lateral expansion occurs under load, vibration causes slippage of the container or buffer block, and uneven settlement of multiple buffer blocks, among other issues. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To overcome the deformation of containers under the reaction force of the saddle in existing technologies, the use of reinforcing rings or buffer blocks, while addressing the issue from a mechanical perspective, only provides temporary relief and does not fundamentally solve the deformation problem. One objective of this invention is to provide a device and method for preventing storage tank deformation. By incorporating a pressure regulating device connected to the inside of the storage tank, the device continuously adjusts the internal pressure while liquid is being added or drained, maintaining it at 0.45 MPa to balance the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid column. This ensures even stress distribution on the inner wall of the tank, preventing deformation under the reaction force of the saddle and reducing material and manufacturing costs.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention employs the following technical solution: a device for preventing deformation of a storage tank, comprising a pressure regulating device disposed outside the storage tank; the pressure regulating device includes a pressure regulating pipeline with one end connected to the storage tank, an air compressor section connected to the other end of the pressure regulating pipeline, and a pressure relief unit connected to the middle of the pressure regulating pipeline; wherein, the pressure relief unit includes a manual vent valve connected to the pressure regulating pipeline, at least one automatic vent valve connected to the pressure regulating pipeline, and a control cabinet for controlling the automatic vent valve; a pressure transmitter is disposed between the automatic vent valve and the storage tank; the pressure transmitter, the automatic vent valve, and the control cabinet are electrically connected.

[0007] Furthermore, the automatic venting valve is set to a pressure of 0.45 MPa, and the venting begins when the pressure transmitter exceeds 0.45 MPa; the overpressure alarm value is set to 0.5 MPa.

[0008] Furthermore, two pressure gauges are installed between the pressure regulating pipeline and the pressure relief unit; an instrument valve is installed between the pressure gauges and the pressure regulating pipeline.

[0009] Specifically, an automatic venting root valve is provided between the pressure gauge and the pressure transmitter; a safety valve is provided between the automatic venting root valve and the pressure transmitter.

[0010] Furthermore, a pressure regulating block is provided between the air compressor section and the pressure regulating pipeline.

[0011] Specifically, a compressed air inlet valve is provided between the pressure regulating block and the pressure relief unit.

[0012] Preferably, the air compressor delivers oil-free air or nitrogen to the pressure regulating pipeline.

[0013] Furthermore, the storage tank is equipped with an inlet valve and a drain valve; the inlet valve is connected to a water pump.

[0014] A method for preventing storage tank deformation includes the following steps: S1, setting the pressure of the automatic vent valve to 0.45 MPa and the overpressure alarm value to 0.5 MPa; S2, connecting the water pump and pressure regulating skid, with the valves in the following states: automatic vent valve, manual vent valve, and instrument valve open; the automatic vent valve in automatic mode, compressed air inlet valve, water inlet valve, and drain valve closed; the readings of the two pressure gauges consistent, indicating successful calibration; S3, slowly opening the compressed air inlet valve, and the air compressor slowly filling the storage tank with oil-free air or nitrogen. When the reading of any of the pressure gauges rises to 0.2 MPa, the air intake is stopped, and the readings of the two pressure gauges are compared. Check if the readings of the force transmitter are consistent. If they are, continue air intake until the pressure gauge reading rises to 0.4 MPa, then stop air intake; S4. Close the compressed air inlet valve, turn on the water pump, and open the water inlet valve to inject water into the storage tank. During the water intake process, continuously observe the tank pressure, which must not exceed 0.5 MPa. If overpressure occurs, immediately open the manual vent valve to vent to 0.45 MPa; S5. After water intake is complete, close the automatic vent valve, the manual vent valve, and the water inlet valve; S6. Connect the enhanced water pump, and execute the enhancement program according to the process requirements; S7. After enhancement is complete, close the water inlet valve and open the manual vent valve to slowly reduce the pressure to 0.45 MPa.

[0015] Furthermore, it also includes a drainage stage; the drainage stage includes the following steps: opening the compressed air inlet valve and the drain valve to slowly drain the water; during the drainage process, when the pressure in the storage tank is lower than 0.4MPa, opening the compressed air inlet valve to replenish the storage tank with compressed air, so that the pressure in the storage tank is maintained at 0.45MPa.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention sets up a pressure regulating device connected to the storage tank, which automatically adjusts the internal pressure of the storage tank to maintain the internal pressure of the storage tank at 0.45MPa, balances the pressure of the saddle on the inner wall of the storage tank, prevents deformation of the inner wall of the storage tank, and eliminates the need to set up reinforcing rings or buffer blocks, thereby reducing material and manufacturing costs. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0018] In the diagram: V1, compressed air inlet valve; V2, first automatic vent valve; V3, second automatic vent valve; V4, manual vent valve; V5, water inlet valve; V6, drain valve; PV1, first automatic vent valve; PV2, second automatic vent valve; S1, first safety valve; S2, second safety valve; L1, first instrument valve; L2, second instrument valve; PG1, first pressure gauge; PG2, second pressure gauge; PT1, first pressure transmitter; PT2, second pressure transmitter; IS, water pump; AC, control cabinet. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The present invention will now be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, without conflict, the various embodiments or technical features described below can be arbitrarily combined to form new embodiments.

[0020] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that directional terms such as "center," "lateral," "longitudinal," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise" indicate the orientation and positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. They should not be construed as limiting the specific protection scope of this invention.

[0021] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features. Thus, the use of "first" and "second" to define a feature may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature, and in the description of this invention, "a number" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0022] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, terms such as "set" and "install" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can also refer to a mechanical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or a connection through an intermediate medium; or they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0023] See Figure 1 A device for preventing deformation of a storage tank includes a pressure regulating device installed outside the storage tank. The pressure regulating device includes a pressure regulating pipeline with one end connected to the storage tank, an air compressor section connected to the other end of the pressure regulating pipeline, and a pressure relief unit connected to the middle of the pressure regulating pipeline. The air compressor section is an air compressor used to introduce oil-free air or nitrogen into the storage tank. A pressure regulating lever is provided between the air compressor section and the pressure regulating pipeline; a compressed air inlet valve V1 is provided between the pressure regulating lever and the pressure relief unit.

[0024] The pressure relief unit includes a manual vent valve V4 connected to the pressure regulating pipeline, two automatic vent valves (i.e., the first automatic vent valve PV1 and the second automatic vent valve PV2) also connected to the pressure regulating pipeline, and a control cabinet AC for controlling the automatic vent valves. Pressure transmitters (i.e., the first pressure transmitter PT1 and the second pressure transmitter PT2) are installed between the automatic vent valves and the storage tank. The pressure transmitters, the automatic vent valves, and the control cabinet AC are electrically connected. The set pressure value of the automatic vent valve is 0.45 MPa. When the pressure transmitter reading exceeds 0.45 MPa, venting begins. The overpressure alarm value is set to 0.5 MPa.

[0025] Two pressure gauges are installed between the pressure regulating pipeline and the pressure relief unit; namely, a first pressure gauge PG1 and a second pressure gauge PG2. Instrument valves are installed between the pressure gauges and the pressure regulating pipeline, namely, a first instrument valve L1 and a second instrument valve L2. An automatic venting root valve is installed between the pressure gauges and the pressure transmitter; a safety valve is installed between the automatic venting root valve and the pressure transmitter.

[0026] The storage tank is equipped with an inlet valve V5 and a drain valve V6; the inlet valve V5 is connected to the water pump IS.

[0027] A first automatic venting root valve V2 is provided between the second pressure gauge PG2 and the first safety valve S1; a second automatic venting root valve V3 is provided between the second pressure gauge PG2 and the second safety valve S2.

[0028] Instructions for use:

[0029] 1. Water filling stage

[0030] 1.1. Set the pressure of the first automatic vent valve PV1 and the second automatic vent valve PV2 to 0.45MPa. When the pressure of the transmitter before the valve is greater than 0.45MPa, start regulating the venting. The overpressure alarm value is set to 0.5MPa.

[0031] 1.2. Connect the water pump and pressure regulating skid. The valves are in the following states: first automatic vent valve V2, second automatic vent valve V3, manual vent valve V4, first instrument valve L1, and second instrument valve L2 are open; first automatic vent valve PV1 and second automatic vent valve PV2 are in automatic mode; compressed air inlet valve V1, water inlet valve V5, and drain valve V6 are closed; first pressure gauge PG1 and second pressure gauge PG2 have the same range and are calibrated.

[0032] 1.3. After checking the above settings again and confirming that they are correct, slowly open the compressed air inlet valve V1 to fill the storage tank with oil-free air or nitrogen. Control the pressure rise rate. When the pressure rises to 0.2MPa, stop the air intake and compare the readings of the two pressure gauges and the pressure transmitter. If they are consistent, continue the air intake until the pressure rises to 0.4MPa and then stop the air intake.

[0033] 1.4. After the air intake is completed, close the compressed air inlet valve V1, turn on the water pump, and open the water inlet valve V5 to start water intake. During the water intake process, the pressure in the storage tank should be continuously observed and should not exceed 0.5MPa. If the pressure exceeds the limit, immediately open the manual vent valve V4 to vent to 0.45MPa.

[0034] 1.5. During the water intake process, the saddle position of the storage tank should be continuously observed for any collapse or deformation. If such phenomenon occurs, the water intake should be stopped immediately.

[0035] 1.6. During the water intake process, the pressure in the storage tank shall not be lower than 0.45 MPa;

[0036] 2. Strengthening Phase

[0037] 2.1. After the water intake is complete, close the first automatic venting root valve V2, the second automatic venting root valve V3, the manual venting valve V4, and the water intake valve V5;

[0038] 2.2. Connect the enhanced water pump, and execute the enhanced water procedure according to the process requirements;

[0039] 3. Drainage stage

[0040] 3.1. After the reinforcement is completed, close the inlet valve V5 and open the manual vent valve V4 to slowly reduce the pressure to 0.45MPa;

[0041] 3.2. Open the compressed air inlet valve V1 and drain valve V6 to slowly drain the air. During the drainage process, the pressure in the storage tank must not be lower than 0.4 MPa; otherwise, compressed gas should be replenished in time.

[0042] The above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the technical features of the present invention are not limited thereto. Any changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention are covered by the patent scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for preventing deformation of a storage tank, characterized in that: The device includes a pressure regulating device installed outside the storage tank; the pressure regulating device includes a pressure regulating pipeline with one end connected to the storage tank, an air compressor section connected to the other end of the pressure regulating pipeline, and a pressure relief unit connected to the middle of the pressure regulating pipeline; wherein, the pressure relief unit includes a manual vent valve connected to the pressure regulating pipeline, at least one automatic vent valve connected to the pressure regulating pipeline, and a control cabinet for controlling the automatic vent valve; a pressure transmitter is installed between the automatic vent valve and the storage tank; the pressure transmitter, the automatic vent valve, and the control cabinet are electrically connected.

2. The apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The automatic venting valve is set to a pressure of 0.45 MPa. When the pressure transmitter reading is greater than 0.45 MPa, it starts to adjust and vent. The overpressure alarm value is set to 0.5 MPa.

3. The apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Two pressure gauges are installed between the pressure regulating pipeline and the pressure relief unit; an instrument valve is installed between the pressure gauges and the pressure regulating pipeline.

4. The apparatus as described in claim 3, characterized in that: An automatic venting root valve is provided between the pressure gauge and the pressure transmitter; a safety valve is provided between the automatic venting root valve and the pressure transmitter.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: A pressure regulating block is provided between the air compressor section and the pressure regulating pipeline.

6. The apparatus as described in claim 5, characterized in that: A compressed air inlet valve is provided between the pressure regulating block and the pressure relief unit.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The compressed air unit supplies oil-free air or nitrogen to the pressure regulating pipeline.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The storage tank is equipped with an inlet valve and a drain valve; the inlet valve is connected to a water pump.

9. A method for preventing deformation of a storage tank, employing the device for preventing deformation of a storage tank as described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that: The process includes the following steps: S1. Set the pressure of the automatic vent valve to 0.45 MPa and the overpressure alarm value to 0.5 MPa; S2. Connect the water pump and pressure regulating skid. The valves should be in the following states: automatic vent valve, manual vent valve, and instrument valve open; the automatic vent valve should be set to automatic; the compressed air inlet valve, water inlet valve, and drain valve should be closed. The readings of the two pressure gauges should match, indicating successful calibration; S3. Slowly open the compressed air inlet valve. The air compressor should slowly fill the storage tank with oil-free air or nitrogen. When the reading of any of the pressure gauges rises to 0.2 MPa, stop the air intake and compare the readings of the two pressure gauges and the pressure transmitter. S4. Check if the readings are consistent. If they are, continue air intake until the pressure reading on the pressure gauge rises to 0.4 MPa, then stop air intake. S5. Close the compressed air inlet valve, turn on the water pump, and open the water inlet valve to inject water into the storage tank. During the water intake process, continuously observe the storage tank pressure, which must not exceed 0.5 MPa. If overpressure occurs, immediately open the manual vent valve to vent to 0.45 MPa. S6. After water intake is complete, close the automatic vent valve, the manual vent valve, and the water inlet valve. S7. Connect the enhanced water pump, and execute the enhancement procedure according to the process requirements. S8. After enhancement is complete, close the water inlet valve and open the manual vent valve to slowly reduce the pressure to 0.45 MPa.

10. The method for preventing deformation of a storage tank as described in claim 9, characterized in that: It also includes a drainage stage; the drainage stage includes the following steps: opening the compressed air inlet valve and the drain valve to slowly drain the water. During the drainage process, when the pressure in the storage tank is lower than 0.4MPa, the compressed air inlet valve is opened to replenish the storage tank with compressed air so that the pressure in the storage tank is maintained at 0.45MPa.

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