CNG Vessel Tank Arrangement for Stability and Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vessels for transporting compressed natural gas using composite tanks face stability issues when containing significant liquid quantities, as the weight distribution leads to instability, and the complex pipe systems within a closed space make repairs and replacements laborious and costly.
Innovation Solution
The vessel design features composite storage tanks with elongated cylindrical sections and ends, where the hull, bulkheads, and deck form a closed space except for the upper end, allowing feed-throughs outside for loading/unloading, and tanks are supported to expand/contract freely, facilitating easier maintenance and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If tanks are arranged vertically standing in three heights inside the hull, then weight saving is achieved, but stability problems occur when upper layer tanks contain significant quantities of liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel is divided into multiple decks with tanks arranged in horizontal rows on each deck, segmenting the vertical stacking arrangement. This segmentation allows liquid to be distributed across multiple levels rather than concentrated in upper layers, maintaining stability while preserving the weight advantages of composite tanks.
2Volume of moving object
If tanks and pipe system are arranged in a closed space, then compactness is achieved, but repair or replacement of damaged tanks or components becomes very laborious and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe system is extracted from the closed space arrangement and repositioned to extend through the deck structures. This allows maintenance personnel to access and work on pipes from the exterior of the closed space, significantly improving ease of repair and replacement while maintaining compact volume utilization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex system of manifolds, lines, valves and connections is arranged, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe system is designed with flexible connections and adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow dynamic reconfiguration. This enables the system to adapt to different operational requirements while reducing the permanent complexity of the installed infrastructure through modular, movable components.
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
This design enhances stability by allowing free expansion of tanks and relocates feed-throughs outside the closed space, simplifying maintenance and reducing costs associated with repairs and replacements.
Implementation Method 1
the tanks are supported (suspended) such that each tank can expand or contract freely within the operating range of the tanks with respect to pressure and temperature
Data Source
AI summary
Vessel comprising a number of composite storage tanks for transport of compressed natural gas (CNG) or a combination of gas and liquid, which tanks have an elongated, cylindrical intermediate section and a lower end and an upper end, the tanks being arranged side-by-side vertically standing in the vessel, distinguished in that the hull, the bulkheads and the deck of the vessel form a closed space enveloping all tanks except from the upper end of each tank or selected tanks, for which tanks the upper end extends sealingly out of the closed space,all feed-throughs in the tanks with couplings for loading and unloading are outside of the closed space, at the upper end of the tanks, andthe tanks are supported such that each tank can expand or contract freely within the operating range of the tanks with respect to pressure and temperature.