LNG Tank Pump Tower Layout for Flexible Deck-Stabilized Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LNG storage tanks on floating units are limited by the fixed positioning of the pump tower to the sidewall adjacent to the bulkhead, leading to installation difficulties, increased costs, and safety hazards due to the need for complex piping and maintenance access issues.
Innovation Solution
Positioning the pump tower within the storage tank below the deck, using a guide system for horizontal control, and coupling it to the deck for stability, allowing flexible placement independent of sidewalls and bulkheads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pump tower is positioned at the rear of the storage tank against the bulkhead, then the product extraction efficiency is maximized, but the installation complexity and maintenance difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pump tower is divided into modular components that can be assembled and positioned independently within the tank. The pump unit, motor, and support structure are separate modules that can be installed through the top opening, allowing complex functionality to be achieved through simple modular assembly rather than complex integrated installation
Solution Approach 2:
The pump tower is repositioned from the traditional rear-wall mounting (2D plane against bulkhead) to a centralized vertical arrangement (3D space utilization). By positioning the pump tower in the center of the tank and extending vertically, the design transitions from wall-mounted to free-standing, enabling access from the top opening and eliminating the need for complex side-access installation
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pump tower is positioned at the rear of the storage tank, then the liquid dome position is determined, but the maintenance accessibility and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pump tower is repositioned from rear-wall mounting to centralized vertical positioning, allowing maintenance personnel to access all components from the top opening of the tank. This vertical arrangement provides clear access paths from above, eliminating the need to work in confined side-access spaces while maintaining liquid dome position stability through proper anchoring to the tank bottom
Solution Approach 2:
The centrally positioned pump tower serves multiple functions: it maintains liquid dome stability, provides universal access from the top for all maintenance operations, and allows flexible positioning of the liquid dome at any horizontal location. The design becomes universally applicable to different tank configurations rather than being constrained to rear-wall mounting
3Strength
If the pump tower is coupled to the sidewall and bulkhead, then the structural support is provided, but the positioning flexibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The pump tower transitions from wall-coupled horizontal positioning to free-standing vertical positioning with anchoring to the tank bottom. This allows the pump tower to be positioned anywhere within the tank footprint while maintaining structural stability through vertical anchoring, providing full positioning flexibility without requiring coupling to sidewalls or bulkheads
Solution Approach 2:
The dependency on sidewall and bulkhead structures is extracted and removed. The pump tower is designed to stand independently on the tank bottom with its own support structure and anchoring system, freeing it from reliance on external wall structures and enabling flexible repositioning to optimize for different operational requirements
Data Source
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AI summary
A floating gas plant can include a deck that may be reinforced. A topside unit can be positioned on the deck. The topside units may be one or more of: a processing unit, or a liquefaction unit, or a regasification unit, or a compression unit, or an injection unit, or a utility unit, or any combination thereof. The plant can also include a storage tank for storing the liquified gas, where the storage tank is positioned below the deck. A pump tower can be disposed in the storage tank, such that a portion of the pump tower protrudes through a surface level of the deck. The pump tower can be coupled to the deck for stability. Coupling the pump tower to the deck for stability can allow the pump tower to be positioned in any suitable location in the storage tank.