Ceiling-Structured Concrete Tank for Large-Scale Liquid Hydrogen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage technologies in China are inadequate for large-scale storage, lacking the capability to safely and efficiently store liquid hydrogen at high densities.
Innovation Solution
A large-scale ceiling structured low-pressure liquid hydrogen concrete storage tank design incorporating a prefabricated prestressed concrete structure with a corrugated metal ceiling, perlite insulation, and a prestressed concrete dome, along with integrated systems for feeding, pumping, BOG treatment, overpressure and vacuum protection, ensuring an airtight system for safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional cryogenic liquid storage technology is used, then hydrogen storage density is achieved, but large-scale storage capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tank is divided into multiple functional layers including inner tank, perlite insulation layer, outer tank, and prestressed concrete structure. Each layer performs a specific function (containment, insulation, structural support) to enable large-scale storage while maintaining safety through distributed functional responsibility
Solution Approach 2:
The tank employs composite construction combining stainless steel inner tank, perlite insulation material, concrete outer tank, and prestressed steel bars. This multi-material composite structure achieves both the cryogenic storage capability and the structural integrity required for large-scale reliable operation
2Quantity of substance
If storage pressure is increased to improve storage efficiency, then storage density improves, but structural safety requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The prestressed concrete structure applies pre-compression stress to the tank wall, changing the stress state of the structure. This allows the tank to withstand higher internal storage pressures (up to 0.6MPa) while maintaining structural safety, as the pre-compression counteracts the tensile stresses generated by internal pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The tank employs a spherical dome top and curved wall structure rather than flat surfaces. This spherical geometry distributes internal pressure stresses uniformly across the structure, reducing peak stress concentrations and enabling higher storage pressures while maintaining structural integrity
3Volume of stationary object
If conventional tank design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but storage volume is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The tank transitions from conventional horizontal cylindrical design to a vertical structure with spherical dome top and flat bottom. This vertical orientation with multi-dimensional geometric elements (sphere, cylinder, flat base) enables achieving 270,000 cubic meters volume while managing structural complexity through standardized modular construction
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design achieves a storage pressure of 0.6MPa, significantly higher than conventional tanks, with a maximum volume of 270,000 cubic meters, addressing the limitations of conventional tanks and enabling safe, efficient large-scale liquid hydrogen storage.
Implementation Method 1
the prestressed concrete outer tank, a prestressed concrete dome and the pile foundation each are provided with prefabricated prestressed steel bars
Implementation Method 2
a perlite layer...arranged in turn from outside to inside
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
Disclosed is a large-scale ceiling structured low-pressure liquid hydrogen concrete storage tank, comprising: pile foundation fixed to the ground, wherein a cushion cap is provided at an upper part of the pile foundation; an tank bottom cold insulation layer provided at a top of the cushion cap in a stacked manner; a storage tank body with a bottom thereof fixed to the tank bottom cold insulation layer, wherein inside of the storage tank body there is a cavity for storing liquid hydrogen, and the storage tank body includes a prestressed concrete outer tank, a perlite layer, an elastic felt layer, and an inner tank which are arranged in turn from outside to inside; a metal ceiling provided at a top of the storage tank body, wherein an outer edge of the metal ceiling is connected to the perlite layer of the storage tank body; and a prestressed concrete dome provided at a top of the metal ceiling, wherein an outer edge of the dome is fixed to a top of the prestressed concrete outer tank of the storage tank body; the pile foundation, the prestressed concrete outer tank of the storage tank body, and the prestressed concrete dome each are prefabricated prestressed steel bars. Using the present disclosure, the problem of cryogenically storing liquid hydrogen on large scale can be addressed, and safe and smooth operation of liquid hydrogen cryogenic storage equipment can be ensured by means of an airtight system of the equipment.