Precast Cryogenic Spill Trough Sealing With Polymeric Concrete
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for constructing trenches to contain cryogenic spills, such as liquified natural gas, are inadequate in effectively managing spillage and ensuring safe transportation and storage due to the challenges posed by the extreme cold and volume reduction of LNG.
Innovation Solution
The method involves constructing precast concrete sections with cast panels and special connections, which are transported to a site where they are assembled with pipe racks and cryogenic flow lines, using polymeric concrete materials and epoxy grout to create a sealed trough system capable of handling cryogenic spills, with a riser positioned opposite the trough to manage any spillage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If precast concrete sections are used to construct the trough, then the ease of transportation and assembly is improved, but the sealing effectiveness at connection points deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An epoxy grout is introduced as an intermediary material between the precast concrete sections to seal the connection points. The grout fills the gaps and joints between sections, providing a reliable seal that prevents cryogenic material leakage while maintaining the modular assembly approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The precast concrete sections are prepared in advance with connection features and surfaces designed for grout application. The epoxy grout is applied to connection points before final assembly, ensuring proper sealing is established prior to operational use.
2Reliability
If the trough is designed to contain cryogenic spills, then the safety and containment capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The containment system is divided into modular precast concrete sections that can be assembled in segments along the pipe rack. Each section functions as an independent containment unit, allowing the system to achieve extensive coverage without requiring a single complex monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The trough system is integrated with the existing pipe rack structure, combining the support function of the rack with the containment function of the trough. This merging reduces the need for separate support structures and simplifies the overall system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If polymeric concrete panels are adhered to the trough sections, then the cryogenic material resistance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Polymeric concrete panels are applied to the concrete sections to create a composite structure that combines the structural strength of concrete with the cryogenic resistance of polymeric materials. This composite approach provides superior protection against cryogenic material effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymeric panels are applied specifically to areas of the trough sections that will be in contact with or exposed to cryogenic materials, providing enhanced resistance where needed while maintaining the simplicity of standard concrete for structural portions.
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.