Auxiliary Secondary Barrier Heating for LNG Tank Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LNG storage tanks face challenges in uniformly heating and maintaining the thermosetting adhesive layer for attaching the secondary barrier, which affects the adhesion and pressure retention of the auxiliary secondary barrier.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heating member, such as a net-like hot wire, zigzag-shaped hot wire, or circular hot wires, on the lower insulation board to uniformly heat and cure the adhesive layer between the main and auxiliary secondary barriers, eliminating the need for an external heat source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If external heat source is used to heat the thermosetting adhesive layer, then the adhesive layer can be heated and cured, but uniform heating over wide area and long-term pressure maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is extracted from the external heat source and integrated directly into the insulation board through embedded heating elements. This allows the insulation board to serve dual purposes: thermal insulation and controlled heating of the adhesive layer, eliminating the need for separate external heating equipment and achieving uniform heating across the entire bonding area.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation board acts as an intermediary between the heating elements and the adhesive layer. The heating elements are embedded within the insulation board structure, which then uniformly distributes the heat to the adhesive layer during the bonding process, ensuring consistent temperature distribution across the wide bonding area.
2Reliability
If external heat source is used for heating, then adhesive curing can be achieved, but the process requires complex external equipment and long processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is merged with the insulation board structure itself. The insulation board contains embedded heating elements that are integrated into its construction, combining the thermal insulation function with the heating function in a single component, thereby reducing overall system complexity and eliminating the need for separate external heating equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation board is designed to perform multiple functions: providing thermal insulation for the LNG storage tank and simultaneously serving as the heating system for curing the adhesive layer. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Strength
If conventional lamination process is used, then secondary barrier can be attached, but consistent adhesion and structural integrity are difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The heating elements are pre-positioned and embedded within the insulation board before the adhesive bonding process begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the adhesive layer is applied and heated, the temperature distribution is already optimized for uniform curing, leading to consistent adhesion quality across the entire bonding area without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
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 ensures uniform adhesion and improved attachment of the secondary barriers without external heat sources, enhancing the structural integrity and thermal insulation of the LNG storage tank.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating a heating member, such as a net-like hot wire, zigzag-shaped hot wire, or circular hot wires, on the lower insulation board to uniformly heat and cure the adhesive layer
Data Source
AI summary
An LN storage tank is disclosed. The LNG storage tank includes: a lower insulation board for insulating LNG from the outside; a heating member placed on the lower insulation board; a main secondary barrier attached on the heating member; an upper insulation board attached on part of the main secondary barrier; and an auxiliary secondary barrier attached on the other part of the main secondary barrier, wherein a first adhesive layer may be interposed between the main secondary barrier and the auxiliary secondary barrier.