Molten salt tank heat insulation supporting structure
By using a combination of materials such as crushed stone pads, CFG piles, ring walls, cooling ducts, shale ceramsite, and refractory ceramic fiber blankets in the thermal insulation support structure of the molten salt tank, the problem of insufficient thermal insulation performance and stability of traditional support structures is solved, and efficient and reliable molten salt tank support is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520374390.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-27
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-03-05
AI Technical Summary
Traditional molten salt tank insulation support structures are inadequate in terms of insulation performance, structural stability, and durability, and cannot meet the safety and stable operation requirements of high-temperature molten salt tanks.
The foundation bearing capacity is enhanced by a crushed stone cushion layer and CFG piles. A ring wall and concrete base slab are installed, with built-in cooling ducts. Multi-layer thermal insulation is achieved using shale ceramsite and refractory ceramic fiber blankets. The joints are sealed with polyurethane caulking and heat-resistant sealing strips. A steel reinforcement frame is configured to improve structural stability and thermal insulation performance.
It significantly improves the structural stability and thermal insulation performance of molten salt tanks, extends their service life, reduces maintenance frequency and costs, and enables them to operate reliably in complex environments for extended periods.
Smart Images

Figure CN223838112U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of molten salt storage infrastructure construction, specifically a heat insulation support structure for molten salt tanks. Background Technology
[0002] In molten salt energy storage and chemical production processes, molten salt tanks typically store high-temperature molten salt. These tanks must withstand high temperatures, high pressures, and the immense weight of themselves and the molten salt inside. Therefore, a reliable thermal insulation support structure is crucial for the safe and stable operation of the molten salt tank. This structure must not only be able to bear the load of the molten salt tank but also possess excellent thermal insulation properties to reduce heat loss and energy consumption. Furthermore, in complex operating environments, the support structure needs sufficient durability and stability to ensure long-term reliable operation.
[0003] However, traditional molten salt tank insulation support structures have many problems. Regarding insulation performance, early support structures often used a single insulation material, which had limited insulation effect and could not meet the stringent insulation requirements of high-temperature molten salt tanks. A large amount of heat would be transferred to the foundation through the support structure, causing the foundation temperature to rise and consequently affecting the foundation's stability and service life.
[0004] In terms of structural stability, traditional support structures are often simply designed, failing to adequately consider uneven settlement of the foundation and thermal expansion and contraction of the tank. When encountering poor geological conditions or large temperature variations, the support structure is prone to deformation and cracking, seriously affecting the safe operation of the molten salt tank.
[0005] In summary, existing thermal insulation support structures for molten salt tanks are insufficient in terms of thermal insulation performance, structural stability, and durability, failing to meet the ever-increasing demand for molten salt energy storage. Therefore, developing a novel, efficient, and reliable thermal insulation support structure for molten salt tanks has significant practical importance and application value. Utility Model Content
[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a thermal insulation support structure for a molten salt tank. This involves first laying a crushed stone cushion layer beneath the ground in the tank area, then embedding CFG piles underneath to enhance the foundation's bearing capacity, and finally constructing a ring wall on the outer side. Above the crushed stone cushion layer between the ring walls is a concrete base slab supporting the molten salt tank, with built-in cooling ducts to prevent overheating. Above this is a thermal insulation support layer of shale ceramsite, with refractory ceramic fiber blankets laid in the recessed areas and filled with refractory castable, while a sand layer is used for leveling in the non-recessed areas. A gap is left between the concrete base slab and the ring wall, sealed with polyurethane caulking and heat-resistant adhesive strips. These components work together to ensure stable operation of the molten salt tank, achieving efficient thermal insulation and reliable support.
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:
[0008] A thermal insulation support structure for a molten salt tank includes a crushed stone cushion layer laid beneath the ground surface of the tank area. This cushion layer serves as a stiffness adjustment zone above the foundation treatment piles, allowing the ring wall and internal concrete slab to deform collaboratively, effectively transferring the upper load from the molten salt tank to the foundation and ensuring the stability of the entire support structure. Below the crushed stone cushion layer, several CFG piles (cement fly ash crushed stone piles) are embedded. CFG piles are variable strength piles made from a mixture of crushed stone, stone chips, sand, fly ash, cement, and water, manufactured using various pile-forming machines. Together with the soil between the piles and the cushion layer, they form a CFG pile composite foundation to enhance the bearing capacity of the foundation. Outside the crushed stone cushion layer, a ring wall extending deep beneath the ground surface of the tank area is constructed, with its underground portion encased in a thickened crushed stone cushion layer. The ring wall is the main load-bearing component of the tank foundation, forming the tank foundation together with the internal shale ceramsite, providing a stable support structure for the entire molten salt tank.
[0009] Above the gravel cushion layer between the ring walls, a concrete base slab is laid. The main function of the concrete base slab is to provide direct support for the molten salt tank, bearing the weight of the tank and the molten salt inside. Cooling ducts are embedded within the concrete base slab, extending to both sides through the ring walls. The function of the cooling ducts is to ensure that the temperature of the concrete foundation does not exceed a safe range. By continuously supplying cooling air, it effectively reduces the temperature rise of the concrete base slab due to the high temperature conducted from the molten salt tank, preventing damage to the concrete from overheating and thus maintaining the stability of the supporting structure.
[0010] Shale ceramsite is laid on top of the concrete base slab. Located between the molten salt tank and the concrete foundation, it effectively blocks heat transfer from the molten salt tank to the concrete foundation and also provides some support for the molten salt tank. At the end of the shale ceramsite near the ring wall, there is a downward-facing groove. This groove design not only enhances the bonding tightness between the shale ceramsite and the ring wall, improving the overall structural integrity, but also creates conditions for subsequent construction.
[0011] Refractory ceramic fiber blankets are laid on the upper part of the shale ceramsite and the upper part of its grooves. These blankets possess excellent thermal insulation properties, further preventing heat from being transferred downwards. They also have the ability to absorb deformation, effectively buffering minor deformations caused by temperature changes or stress, thus preventing structural damage. Within the grooves, refractory ceramic fiber blankets are laid vertically on one side, adhering to the ring wall, while the other side is filled with refractory castable. The refractory castable not only provides thermal insulation but also offers structural rigidity, enhancing the overall stability of the support structure. Above the refractory ceramic fiber blankets in the non-grooved areas, a layer of sand is laid. This sand layer levels the bottom of the tank, ensuring full contact between the bottom and the foundation, guaranteeing even load distribution, and improving the reliability of the support structure.
[0012] A gap is left between the concrete base slab and the ring wall, which is caulked with polyurethane and sealed with heat-resistant sealing strips above and below the polyurethane. This design aims to accommodate the differences in temperature variation and stress deformation between the concrete base slab and the ring wall, preventing cracks and other damage caused by mutual restraint. The excellent elasticity and adhesion of polyurethane, along with the sealing and heat resistance of the heat-resistant sealing strips, jointly ensure the structure's airtightness and stability, preventing heat loss from the gaps.
[0013] A steel reinforcement cage is installed within the refractory castable to improve its overall strength and resistance to deformation, ensuring structural integrity even under complex environments such as high temperatures and stress. Flexible waterproof sleeves are fitted over the cooling ducts that pass through the ring wall to prevent moisture from the soil from seeping into the supporting structure through the gaps between the ducts and the ring wall, thus affecting the structure's durability and the normal operation of the cooling ducts.
[0014] Several thermocouple sleeves are pre-embedded on the upper surface of the concrete base slab for installing thermocouples. This allows for real-time monitoring of the concrete base slab's temperature, enabling timely adjustments to the cooling duct's operation and ensuring the temperature remains within a safe range. Drainage holes are installed in the ring wall above the cooling ducts to remove any moisture that may accumulate inside, preventing damage to the ring wall and supporting structure. Furthermore, the concrete base slab employs double-layer, bidirectional reinforcement, effectively enhancing its load-bearing capacity and crack resistance, enabling it to better withstand various loads and stresses transmitted from the superstructure.
[0015] The refractory ceramic fiber blankets laid on the upper part of the shale ceramsite and the upper part of its grooves are each 30mm thick, with a loose layer thickness of 60mm. The staggered spacing within the same layer and the spacing between overlapping layers are not less than 100mm. This laying method and parameter requirements ensure a tight connection between the refractory ceramic fiber blankets, reducing heat transfer through gaps and thus achieving a better thermal insulation effect.
[0016] When the molten salt tank's thermal insulation support structure is in operation, the upper stiffness of the foundation treatment piles is first adjusted by the crushed stone cushion layer, causing the ring wall and the internal concrete slab to deform in tandem. This transfers the load from the molten salt tank to the foundation. Simultaneously, the ring wall, as the main load-bearing component, together with the internal shale ceramsite, forms the tank foundation, providing stable support for the molten salt tank. The concrete base slab bears the weight of the molten salt tank and its internal molten salt. Cooling air ducts continuously supply cooling air to prevent the concrete base slab from overheating and being damaged due to the high temperature conducted by the molten salt tank. The shale ceramsite provides both thermal insulation and support. The refractory ceramic fiber blanket and refractory castable in the grooves further insulate the tank, and the refractory ceramic fiber blanket also absorbs deformation. The sand cushion layer in the non-grooved areas levels the tank bottom, ensuring full contact between the tank bottom and the foundation.
[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0018] In terms of structural stability, CFG piles combined with a crushed stone cushion layer effectively improve the stress condition of the foundation. Compared with traditional simple foundation supports, they can better distribute the superstructure load, reduce the possibility of uneven settlement, and ensure the long-term stable operation of the molten salt tank. Simultaneously, the coordinated load-bearing design of the ring wall and concrete base slab greatly enhances the overall structural bearing capacity and improves its ability to cope with complex geological conditions and heavy loads. CFG piles are an abbreviation for Cement Fly-ash Gravel, meaning cement-fly ash-gravel piles. They are variable-strength piles with a certain strength, made from crushed stone, stone chips, sand, fly ash, cement, and water mixed together using various pile-forming machines.
[0019] CFG piles are a type of low-strength concrete pile that can fully utilize the bearing capacity of the soil between the piles and transfer loads to deeper foundations, exhibiting good technical performance and economic benefits. The cement-fly ash-gravel (CFG) pile method is suitable for treating foundations in cohesive soils, silt, sandy soils, and silty soils with relatively hard soil layers at the pile tip and a standard bearing capacity of not less than 70 kPa, as well as unconsolidated artificial fill.
[0020] In terms of thermal insulation performance, a composite thermal insulation system consisting of shale ceramsite, refractory ceramic fiber blanket, and refractory castable is adopted, forming a multi-layered, all-around thermal insulation barrier. This significantly reduces the rate of heat transfer from the molten salt vessel to the foundation, effectively reducing the risk of deformation and damage to the foundation due to heat, and extending the service life of the entire support structure.
[0021] From a durability perspective, the cooling ductwork allows for precise temperature control of the concrete foundation, preventing performance degradation due to high temperatures. Flexible waterproof sleeves prevent moisture penetration, reducing the likelihood of steel reinforcement corrosion and concrete decay. The double-layered, bidirectional reinforced concrete slab significantly improves the structure's crack resistance, effectively mitigating stresses caused by temperature changes and foundation settlement. These measures enable the support structure to maintain optimal performance even in harsh environments, substantially reducing maintenance frequency and costs compared to traditional technologies.
[0022] In terms of adaptability to deformation, the gap between the concrete base slab and the ring wall and the use of sealing measures can effectively buffer the structural deformation caused by temperature changes, foundation settlement, etc., and avoid cracks or damage caused by mutual restraint. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1 This is a diagram of a heat-insulating support structure for a molten salt tank according to the present invention;
[0024] In the diagram: 1. Crushed stone cushion layer, 2. CFG pile, 3. Ring wall, 4. Crushed stone cushion layer, 5. Cooling duct, 6. Shale ceramsite, 7. Refractory ceramic fiber blanket, 8. Refractory castable, 9. Sand cushion layer, 10. Polyurethane. Detailed Implementation
[0025] The technical solutions of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments.
[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, a molten salt tank insulation support structure includes a gravel cushion layer 1 laid under the ground of the salt tank area. The structure is characterized in that a number of CFG piles 2 are buried under the gravel cushion layer 1, and a ring wall 3 is set on the outside. The ring wall 3 extends into the ground of the salt tank area, and the underground part of the ring wall 3 is wrapped by the gravel cushion layer 1.
[0027] A concrete base slab 4 is laid on top of the gravel cushion layer 1 between the ring walls 3. A cooling air duct 5 is sandwiched inside the concrete base slab 4, and the cooling air duct 5 passes through the ring walls 3 to both sides.
[0028] Shale ceramsite 6 is laid on top of the concrete base slab 4. The shale ceramsite 6 has a downward groove near the end of the ring wall 3. Refractory ceramic fiber blanket 7 is laid on the upper end of the shale ceramsite 6 and the upper end of the groove. Refractory ceramic fiber blanket 7 is laid vertically in the groove along the side of the ring wall 3. The other side is filled with refractory castable 8. A layer of sand 9 is laid on top of the refractory ceramic fiber blanket 7 in the non-groove area.
[0029] A gap is left between the concrete base slab 4 and the ring wall 3, and polyurethane 10 is used to fill the gap. The polyurethane 10 is sealed with heat-resistant sealing strips on the top and bottom.
[0030] The refractory castable 8 is equipped with a steel reinforcement cage.
[0031] The cooling duct 5 is fitted with a flexible waterproof sleeve through the portion of the ring wall 3.
[0032] Several thermocouple sleeves are pre-embedded on the upper surface of the concrete base slab 4.
[0033] The ring wall 3 is provided with a drain hole above the cooling air duct 5.
[0034] The concrete base slab 4 adopts a double-layer, two-way reinforcement method.
[0035] The refractory ceramic fiber blanket 7 laid on the upper end of the shale ceramsite 6 and the upper end of its groove has a thickness of 30mm per layer, a loose thickness of 60mm, and the staggered peaks in the same layer and the spacing between the upper and lower layers are not less than 100mm.
[0036] When the molten salt tank is in operation, the crushed stone cushion layer 1 first adjusts the upper stiffness of the foundation treatment piles, and works in conjunction with several CFG piles 2 buried below to evenly distribute the load from the tank to the foundation. The outer ring wall 3, extending into the ground below the salt tank area, serves as the main load-bearing component. Its underground portion is wrapped by the thickened crushed stone cushion layer 1, which, together with the shale ceramsite 6 inside, stably supports the tank. The concrete base slab 4, laid on top of the crushed stone cushion layer 1 between the ring walls 3, bears the weight of the molten salt tank and the molten salt inside. Cooling air ducts 5 embedded in the concrete base slab 4 continuously supply cooling air to promptly remove the heat conducted to the base slab by the high temperature of the molten salt tank, preventing the base slab from being damaged due to excessive temperature. Shale ceramsite 6 serves a dual purpose of heat insulation and support. A downward-facing groove is located near the end of the ring wall 3. At this groove, vertically laid refractory ceramic fiber blanket 7 and refractory castable 8 filled with a steel reinforcement skeleton further enhance heat insulation. A layer of sand 9 is laid above the refractory ceramic fiber blanket 7 at the non-grooved area to level the tank bottom, ensuring full contact between the tank bottom and the foundation. A gap is reserved between the concrete base slab 4 and the ring wall 3, caulking it with polyurethane 10 and sealing it with heat-resistant sealing strips at the top and bottom. This accommodates differences in temperature and deformation under stress, preventing heat loss. A flexible waterproof sleeve is fitted over the cooling duct 5 that passes through the ring wall 3 to prevent moisture infiltration. A thermocouple sleeve embedded in the upper surface of the concrete base slab 4 monitors the temperature in real time for timely adjustment of the cooling air. Drainage holes located above the cooling duct 5 in the ring wall 3 promptly drain accumulated water, ensuring the stability of the supporting structure. The double-layered, bidirectional reinforced concrete base slab 4 enhances its load-bearing and crack resistance. All parts work closely together to ensure the stable operation of the molten salt tank.
Claims
1. A thermal insulation support structure for a molten salt tank, comprising a gravel cushion layer (1) laid beneath the ground of the salt tank area, characterized in that, Several CFG piles (2) are buried under the crushed stone cushion layer (1), and a ring wall (3) is set on the outside. The ring wall (3) extends into the ground of the salt tank area. The underground part of the ring wall (3) is wrapped by the crushed stone cushion layer (1). A concrete base slab (4) is laid on top of the gravel cushion layer (1) between the ring walls (3). A cooling air duct (5) is sandwiched inside the concrete base slab (4). The cooling air duct (5) passes through the ring walls (3) to both sides. Shale ceramsite (6) is laid on top of the concrete base plate (4). The shale ceramsite (6) has a downward groove near the end of the ring wall (3). Refractory ceramic fiber blanket (7) is laid on the upper end of the shale ceramsite (6) and the upper end of the groove. Refractory ceramic fiber blanket (7) is laid vertically in the groove along the side of the ring wall (3). Refractory castable (8) is filled on the other side. A layer of sand (9) is laid on top of the refractory ceramic fiber blanket (7) in the non-groove area.
2. The molten salt tank insulation support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, A gap is left between the concrete base plate (4) and the ring wall (3), and polyurethane (10) is used to fill the gap. The polyurethane (10) is sealed with heat-resistant sealing strips on the top and bottom.
3. The molten salt tank insulation support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refractory castable (8) is equipped with a steel reinforcement cage.
4. The molten salt tank insulation support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling duct (5) is fitted with a flexible waterproof sleeve at the part that passes through the ring wall (3).
5. The molten salt tank insulation support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Several thermocouple sleeves are pre-embedded on the upper surface of the concrete base plate (4).
6. The molten salt tank insulation support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ring wall (3) is provided with a drain hole above the cooling air duct (5).
7. The molten salt tank insulation support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The concrete base slab (4) adopts a double-layer bidirectional reinforcement method.
8. The molten salt tank insulation support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refractory ceramic fiber blanket (7) laid on the upper end of the shale ceramsite (6) and the upper end of its groove has a thickness of 30mm per layer and a thickness of 60mm for the false auxiliary layer. The spacing between the staggered peaks of the same layer and the pressure joints between the upper and lower layers is not less than 100mm.