Precast Cryogenic Spill Trough With Insulated Sealed Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for constructing trenches to contain cryogenic spills, such as liquified natural gas, are inadequate in efficiently managing spillage and providing effective insulation and structural support for cryogenic fluid transport lines.
Innovation Solution
The method involves constructing precast concrete sections with polymeric concrete panels and a pipe rack structure, where the panels are connected using specialized connections and sealed with non-sag fillers, and a riser is placed opposite the trough to contain and insulate cryogenic spills, utilizing epoxy grout and cryogenic insulative materials for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If precast concrete sections are used to construct the trough, then construction efficiency and structural strength are improved, but the complexity of assembly and sealing connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trough is divided into multiple precast concrete sections that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site. Each section is a self-contained unit with standardized dimensions and connection interfaces, enabling modular construction while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The concrete sections are precast at a manufacturing location before being transported to the installation site. This preliminary action allows for controlled manufacturing conditions, quality assurance, and preparation of connection interfaces in advance, simplifying the on-site assembly process.
2Temperature
If polymeric concrete panels are adhered to the trough sections, then insulation performance is improved, but the manufacturing and installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric concrete panels are prepared and adhered to the trough sections at the precast location before transport. This preliminary insulation application ensures thermal performance is established prior to installation, and the adhesive bonding is performed under controlled conditions rather than during on-site assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines precast concrete structural sections with polymeric concrete insulation panels to create a composite construction. The concrete provides structural strength while the polymeric material provides thermal insulation, achieving both requirements through material composition rather than adding separate components.
3Reliability
If specialized connections with epoxy grout and non-sag fillers are used, then spill containment reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Non-sag fillers are applied in advance to the connection joints between trough sections to prevent cryogenic spillage. These fillers are positioned beforehand in the gaps and crevices of the joint assemblies, creating a protective barrier that cushions against potential leaks before they can occur during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Epoxy grout and non-sag fillers serve as intermediary materials between the concrete sections and the cryogenic fluid environment. These materials fill the interface gaps and seal the joints, acting as a mediating barrier that prevents fluid leakage while accommodating minor dimensional variations in the assembled sections.
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 solution effectively contains and insulates cryogenic spills, providing a robust and efficient system for managing cryogenic fluid transport lines by using precast concrete sections and polymeric concrete panels, ensuring reliable and safe handling of cryogenic materials.
Implementation Method 1
polymeric concrete panels...cryogenic insulative materials for enhanced performance
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
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.