Precast Cryogenic Spill Trough With Integrated Insulation Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for constructing cryogenic trenches to contain spills of liquified natural gas (LNG) are inadequate, as they do not effectively manage spillage and provide adequate insulation and structural support for cryogenic materials.
Innovation Solution
The method involves constructing precast concrete sections with cast panels, which are transported to the site and assembled using special connections. The sections are designed to form a trough with a bottom wall and side walls, and are equipped with cryogenic insulative panels and a riser to manage spillage and provide insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional construction methods are used for cryogenic trenches, then construction flexibility and speed are limited, but effective spill containment and insulation are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The trench system is divided into modular precast concrete sections that can be transported and assembled at the job site. Each section includes integrated cryogenic insulative panels and spill containment features, allowing for efficient assembly while maintaining reliability for spill containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite construction combining precast concrete sections with integrated cryogenic insulative panels. This composite structure provides both structural integrity for spill containment and thermal insulation properties, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
2Reliability
If precast concrete sections with integrated panels are used, then spill containment and insulation are improved, but transportation and assembly logistics become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The trench is segmented into standardized precast sections that can be manufactured off-site and transported efficiently. The modular design maintains structural integrity while improving transportation and assembly logistics compared to traditional monolithic construction.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions (structural support, spill containment, and thermal insulation) are merged into single precast sections with integrated cryogenic insulative panels. This reduces the number of separate components needing transportation and assembly, improving ease of manufacture despite enhanced functionality.
3Temperature
If conventional trench construction is used, then construction speed is limited, but adequate insulation for cryogenic materials is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
Cryogenic insulative panels are pre-installed on the precast concrete sections during manufacturing, before site assembly. This preliminary action ensures adequate insulation for cryogenic materials is already in place, eliminating the need for separate insulation installation steps and improving construction speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of precast concrete and integrated cryogenic insulative panels creates a composite structure that provides adequate thermal insulation for cryogenic materials. This integrated approach maintains insulation effectiveness while accelerating construction compared to conventional methods.
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 effectively contains and manages cryogenic spills, providing structural integrity and insulation necessary for handling liquified gases, thereby enhancing safety and efficiency in cryogenic fluid handling and storage.
Implementation Method 1
equipped with cryogenic insulative panels and a riser to manage spillage and provide insulation
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.