Fuel Tank Layout With Gas Blocking Between Fusible Plug Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel storage devices with multiple fuel tanks do not adequately consider the influence of discharged gas on adjacent tanks, leading to potential exposure and safety issues when fusible plug valves open under high temperature conditions.
Innovation Solution
A fuel storage device configuration where multiple fuel tanks are supported with parallel longitudinal directions and equipped with blocking members that direct the discharge of fuel gas from fusible plug valves towards a blocking member, preventing the gas from reaching adjacent tanks by orienting the openings of the fusible plug valves towards the blocking member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple fuel tanks are installed in a fuel storage device, then the fuel storage capacity is improved, but the risk of gas exposure to adjacent tanks when fusible plug valves discharge increases
Solution Approach 1:
A blocking member is introduced as an intermediary element between adjacent fuel tanks. This blocking member intercepts and redirects the discharged fuel gas from fusible plug valves, preventing it from reaching neighboring tanks. The blocking member serves as a protective barrier that mediates between the gas discharge source and vulnerable adjacent tanks, thereby resolving the harmful interaction while maintaining close tank arrangement for space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member is pre-positioned between adjacent fuel tanks to prevent potential gas exposure before it can occur. By establishing this protective barrier in advance, the system proactively counteracts the harmful effect of gas discharge on adjacent tanks, ensuring that even when fusible plug valves open under high temperature conditions, the discharged gas cannot reach other tanks.
2Area of stationary object
If fuel tanks are arranged closely together, then the space utilization is improved, but the safety distance between tanks for gas discharge protection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member acts as an intermediary protective structure that enables close tank arrangement without compromising safety. It is positioned between adjacent tanks to intercept discharged gas, allowing tanks to be placed closer together while maintaining effective safety protection. This mediator eliminates the need for large safety gaps, improving space utilization while preserving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of maintaining safety distance in the horizontal plane between tanks, the solution transitions to a vertical dimension by positioning blocking members above or between tanks at strategic heights. This dimensional shift allows tanks to be arranged closely in the horizontal plane while the blocking members provide protection in the vertical discharge path, thereby improving space utilization without sacrificing safety.
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 configuration effectively suppresses the exposure of adjacent fuel tanks to discharged fuel gas, enhancing safety by preventing the gas from reaching other tanks and reducing the risk of local concentration increases within the storage device.
Implementation Method 1
each of the fuel tanks having a fusible plug valve from which the fuel gas is discharged under a predetermined high temperature condition
Data Source
AI summary
To suppress the influence of gas on other fuel tanks when the gas is discharged from a fuel tank. A fuel storage device includes: a plurality of fuel tanks, each having a fusible plug valve; a support member that supports the plurality of fuel tanks, while making longitudinal directions of the respective fuel tanks parallel to each other; and a blocking member that blocks at least part of the fuel gas discharged from the fusible plug valves. The plurality of fuel tanks includes a tank group including the plurality of fuel tanks aligned along a first direction and a juxtaposed tank thereto. The blocking member is disposed between the tank group and the juxtaposed tank. The orientations of openings of the fusible plug valves included in blocked tanks are directed toward the blocking member, the blocked tanks being two or more fuel tanks that are continuous in the first direction, among the fuel tanks included in the tank group.