LNG Tank Through-Element Sealing via Segmented Insulating Barriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealed and thermally insulating tank designs for storing liquefied natural gas face challenges in accommodating bulky elements, such as support feet or pipes, due to complex corrugation networks that complicate the integration with the vessel wall, leading to stress concentrations and difficulties in connecting adjacent zones.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer tank structure with corrugated metal sheets and insulating panels, where the corrugations of the primary and secondary membranes are offset, allowing a through-element to pass through a symmetrical window in the thermally insulating barrier, reducing stress concentrations and simplifying connections to adjacent zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a through-element with diameter exceeding two corrugation intervals is installed, then the tank wall can accommodate bulky elements, but the corrugation path becomes complex and difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The tank wall is divided into multiple layers (primary membrane, insulating barriers, secondary membrane) with through-elements passing through specific zones. Each layer is segmented to accommodate the through-element independently, avoiding the need for complex overall corrugation patterns. The corrugations are localized to specific areas rather than requiring complex global patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugation pattern is modified only in the local area where the through-element passes, rather than requiring complex patterns throughout the entire tank wall. The majority of the tank wall maintains simple, regular corrugation patterns, while only the singular area around the through-element has adapted corrugations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the corrugation path is shifted to accommodate a through-element, then the through-element can pass through, but the connection to adjacent areas becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tank wall structure is segmented into distinct layers (primary membrane, insulating barriers, secondary membrane) that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the through-element to pass through one layer while maintaining simple connections in adjacent areas of other layers, avoiding the need to adapt the entire corrugation network.
Solution Approach 2:
Insulating barriers serve as intermediary elements between the primary and secondary membranes. These barriers provide a transition zone that facilitates the passage of through-elements while maintaining structural integrity and simple connections to adjacent areas, acting as a mediator that absorbs the local complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If corrugations are concentrated in a singular area, then through-elements can pass through, but stress concentrations increase on the sealing membrane
Solution Approach 1:
The multilayer structure segments the stress paths, distributing loads across multiple layers rather than concentrating them on a single sealing membrane. The primary membrane, insulating barriers, and secondary membrane each bear portions of the mechanical loads, reducing stress concentrations on any one layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank wall uses a composite structure combining metal corrugated sheets with insulating barrier materials. This composite construction provides both mechanical strength and stress distribution capabilities, reducing stress concentrations on the sealing membranes while accommodating through-elements.
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
Enables the passage of bulky elements while minimizing stress on the sealing membrane and facilitating connections to adjacent areas, ensuring balanced thermal and mechanical stress distribution and easy integration with the tank wall.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of corrugated metal sheets welded together in a watertight manner
Implementation Method 2
at least one thermally insulating barrier disposed between the load-bearing structure and the sealing membrane
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sealed and thermally insulated tank in which the distance between two adjacent corrugations of the corrugated metal sheets of the sealing membrane is equal to a predetermined corrugation space oi, the sealing membrane comprising around a through-element: two indented rectangular metal plates (24a, 24b) of 3io in width in the first direction and 7io in length in the second direction, and which are symmetrical to one another, each indented rectangular metal plate having three outer edges arranged opposite a plurality of anchor plates and welded to the first plurality of anchor plates and an inner edge having an indentation (29a) provided to avoid cutting off a square window through which the through-element passes, and two retrofitting metal plates (24c, 24d) arranged between the non-indented portions of the inner edges of the two indented rectangular metal plates.