Cryogenic Spill Trench Assembly With Insulated Precast Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for containing and managing cryogenic spills, such as liquified natural gas (LNG), lack effective solutions for spill containment and insulation during transportation and storage, as they do not adequately address the challenges of handling cryogenic materials at extremely low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The development of a method and apparatus using precast concrete sections with polymeric concrete panels and cryogenic insulating materials, connected via specialized connections and sealed with non-sag fillers, to form a trench system that can handle and insulate cryogenic spills, featuring a pipe rack structure with elevated flow lines and a vertically extending riser for containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If precast concrete sections are used to form a trench system, then the structural strength and containment capability are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The trench system is divided into multiple precast concrete sections that can be manufactured separately and then assembled on-site. Each section is a self-contained unit with standardized dimensions and connection interfaces, allowing for modular construction that reduces overall assembly complexity while maintaining structural integrity.
2Temperature
If polymeric concrete panels are adhered to concrete sections, then the insulation performance is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric concrete panels are pre-manufactured with standardized dimensions and adhesive bonding surfaces. The adhesion process is simplified by using pre-prepared bonding surfaces and standardized adhesive application procedures, reducing the precision requirements during final assembly while ensuring consistent insulation performance.
3Reliability
If specialized connections with seals are used to join sections, then the spill containment reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: mechanical joining, sealing, and alignment are all achieved through the specialized connection elements. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components needed while ensuring reliable spill containment through the integrated seal design.
4Reliability
If non-sag fillers are applied to connections, then the seal integrity is improved, but the application complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The non-sag filler material is designed with self-leveling and self-sealing properties that reduce the need for complex application procedures. The material automatically flows into gaps and conforms to the connection surfaces, then maintains its position without sagging, allowing for simpler application while ensuring consistent seal integrity.
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 solution effectively contains and insulates cryogenic spills, providing a reliable and efficient means of managing LNG and similar materials by forming a sealed trench system that can withstand cryogenic temperatures, ensuring safe transportation and storage.
Implementation Method 1
each section can include cryogenic insulating panels
Implementation Method 2
adhering one or more of the multiple panels to the bottom wall and side walls of each concrete section preferably using an adhesive
Implementation Method 3
applying an epoxy grout to the connections at the second location
Implementation Method 4
filling the gap with a seal
Data Source
AI summary
A method of installing a trough or trench for containing a cryogenic spill, includes the step of constructing multiple precast concrete sections at a first location, each section having a bottom wall and spaced apart side walls connected to and extending up from the bottom wall. Each section has end portions that enable connection to another concrete section. The method includes (at the first location), preparing multiple panels of polymeric concrete material by filling one or more molds with a slurry or liquid polymeric concrete material and after time allowing the material to cure and harden. At the first location, one or more of the panels is adhered to the bottom wall and side walls of each concrete section using an adhesive. After adhering of the panels to the concrete sections, the concrete sections are transported from the first location to a second location that is remote from the first location. At the second location, the concrete sections are connected together using connections that join one end portion of a concrete section to and end portion of another concrete section. In one embodiment, the trough or trench is placed next to a pipe rack having cryogen containing flow lines. A slab and riser arrangement preferably channel any spill to the trough or trench.