Sealed Pipe Passage Through Liquefied Gas Tank Wall
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealed and thermally insulating membrane-type tanks for storing and transporting liquefied gas face challenges in efficiently passing small-diameter pipes through their walls without compromising the tank's sealing and thermal insulation, particularly in large and complex structures like those used in ships.
Innovation Solution
A structure that incorporates a sealed metal pipe passing through a thermally insulating tank wall, supported by a coaming and surrounded by a sealed metal sheath, which limits mechanical load transmission and maintains the tank's integrity, using a combination of thermally insulating barriers and sealing membranes to ensure a sealed and reliable passage for the pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a sealed pipe is passed through a membrane-type tank wall, then fluid transport capability is improved, but the sealing reliability and thermal insulation are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A sealed sheath is introduced as an intermediary component between the pipe and the tank wall. This sheath extends through the tank wall thickness and provides a sealing surface that interfaces with the membrane, allowing the pipe to pass through while maintaining sealing integrity. The sheath acts as a mediator that transfers the pipe's penetration function without directly compromising the membrane's sealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank wall penetration function is segmented into distinct components: the pipe for fluid transport, the sealed sheath for sealing and mechanical support, and the membrane for thermal insulation and containment. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the others, with the sheath specifically designed to bridge the gap between pipe penetration and membrane sealing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pipe passes through the tank wall, then fluid passage capability is improved, but mechanical load transmission to the sealing membrane increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed sheath serves as a mechanical intermediary that bears the loads from pipe expansion, contraction, and external forces. By introducing this intermediate structure, the direct transmission of mechanical loads to the sealing membrane is reduced, as the sheath absorbs and distributes these forces before they reach the membrane interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed sheath is designed as a flexible structure that can accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the pipe while maintaining its sealing function. This flexibility allows the sheath to absorb mechanical stresses without rigidly transmitting them to the membrane, protecting the membrane from stress concentration.
3Reliability
If a sealed pipe structure is implemented, then sealing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed sheath is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides sealing, mechanical support, and thermal insulation functions. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single component rather than requiring separate elements for each function, the overall device complexity is reduced while maintaining sealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function and the mechanical support function are merged into the sealed sheath structure. Rather than having separate sealing elements and support structures, the sheath integrates both functions, simplifying the overall assembly and reducing the number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and maintained.
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 allows for the simple and reliable passage of small-diameter pipes through the tank walls, minimizing the risk of compromising the tank's sealing and reducing mechanical load transmission, thus maintaining the tank's thermal insulation and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the tank wall having at least one thermally insulating barrier
Implementation Method 2
at least one sealing membrane that are superposed in a thickness direction of the tank wall
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an installation for storing and transporting a liquefied gas, having a sealed pipe (7) that passes through the tank wall so as to define a fluid passage between the inside and the outside of the tank,a sealed metal sheath (29) that is disposed around the sealed pipe (7) and fitted in the opening (22) in the load-bearing wall, the sealed sheath having a longitudinal portion extending at least as far as the sealing membrane (14), the sealing membrane being joined to the sealed sheath (29) in a sealed manner,wherein the load-bearing structure comprises a coaming (24) that protrudes from an outer surface of the load-bearing wall, the sealed pipe being supported by a top wall (26) of the coaming,the sealed sheath (29) having an outer end that is disposed outside the load-bearing wall and attached to the coaming or to the sealed pipe (7) all around the sealed pipe.