Stepped Spherical Tank Arrangement for Compact Cryogenic Hull Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating cryogenic hydrocarbon storage structures are not compactly designed and require excessive steel, making them costly and less suitable for new-built structures, especially when accommodating liquefied gas processing equipment.
Innovation Solution
A floating cryogenic hydrocarbon storage structure with a stepped configuration of spherical tanks placed side by side, reducing the hull width by 10-15% and achieving a 6% weight reduction in steel usage, allowing for ample space for processing equipment and reduced construction costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If tanks are arranged in two parallel rows with midpoints at opposed positions on each side of the center line, then adequate clearance between tanks is provided, but the hull width increases requiring excessive steel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional two-dimensional parallel row arrangement to a three-dimensional stepped configuration. Tanks in the second row are positioned longitudinally between tanks of the first row, utilizing the longitudinal dimension to achieve compact transverse arrangement while maintaining adequate clearance through vertical offset in the stepped design
Solution Approach 2:
The stepped arrangement nests tanks from the second row within the longitudinal space between tanks of the first row, creating a compact hexagonal-like pattern that maximizes space utilization and minimizes hull width while preserving necessary maintenance access clearance
2Area of stationary object
If tanks are placed side by side in a compact configuration, then hull width is reduced, but clearance between tanks for access and maintenance may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The stepped configuration introduces a longitudinal dimension to the tank arrangement, positioning second-row tanks between first-row tanks along the length of the hull. This creates diagonal clearance paths that maintain adequate access space while reducing the transverse footprint, allowing maintenance personnel to approach tanks from multiple directions
3Ease of operation
If a traditional parallel row tank arrangement is used, then tank clearance is adequate, but the structure requires excessive steel and is not compact
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging tanks in a stepped pattern utilizing longitudinal positioning between rows, the design achieves compact transverse dimensions without compromising clearance. This three-dimensional arrangement reduces the hull width and associated steel requirements while preserving adequate maintenance access through diagonal and longitudinal clearance paths
Solution Approach 2:
The stepped configuration serves multiple functions simultaneously: it reduces hull width for compactness, maintains adequate clearance for maintenance access, optimizes space utilization for processing equipment, and creates an efficient structural arrangement that minimizes steel consumption
Data Source
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AI summary
Floating cryogenic storage structure (20) including a hull (9) with a center line (24) extending in a length direction and two longitudinal side walls (22,23), the structure including at least three spherical storage tanks, two tanks (27,28) being situated with their midpoints (29,30) on spaced apart longitudinal positions (T1,T2) along a first line (L1) extending in the length direction at a first side (32) of the center line (24) and a third tank (33) being situated with its midpoint (36) on a longitudinal position (T3) on a second line (L2) extending in the length direction at a second side (38) of the center line, and a transverse distance (Wt) between the first and second lines not larger than a diameter (D) of the tanks and the longitudinal position (T3) of the midpoint of the third tank (36)situated between the longitudinal positions of the midpoints of the first and second tanks.