Storage Tank Safety System for Cryogenic Fluid Leakage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage tanks for cryogenic fluids face challenges in detecting damage, which can lead to fluid leakage and potential explosions due to the insulation vacuum layer being compromised.
Innovation Solution
A safety system is integrated into the storage tank, featuring a pressure sensor to monitor the rate of change in pressure within the insulation cavity. This system determines if damage has occurred based on a predetermined threshold value, allowing for remedial or emergency actions to be taken.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pressure sensor is installed to monitor pressure changes in the insulation cavity, then damage detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation cavity serves a dual function: it provides thermal insulation and simultaneously acts as the monitoring environment for the pressure sensor. The existing vacuum space is utilized for damage detection without requiring additional structural modifications or separate monitoring chambers, thereby improving reliability while minimizing added complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the safety system monitors rate of change in pressure, then detection precision for minor damage is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety system dynamically adjusts its monitoring approach by calculating the rate of change of pressure over time rather than using fixed threshold alerts. This dynamic monitoring enables detection of minor damage through subtle pressure changes while optimizing energy consumption by only triggering alerts when the rate of change exceeds calculated thresholds, rather than continuous high-energy alert states.
3Reliability
If remedial actions are initiated when pressure change exceeds threshold, then safety is improved, but loss of time occurs due to automatic shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary classification of pressure changes by comparing the rate of change against predetermined thresholds before initiating remedial actions. This preliminary assessment allows the system to distinguish between normal operational variations and actual damage events, triggering appropriate responses only when necessary and avoiding unnecessary automatic shutdowns that would cause time loss.
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
The system effectively detects even minor damage to the storage tank, enabling timely remedial or emergency actions to prevent significant losses or safety hazards.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure in the insulation cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A safety system for a storage tank. The storage tank includes a storage chamber configured to store a working fluid, a first skin forming the storage chamber, a second skin positioned radially outwardly of the first skin, an insulation cavity formed between the first skin and the second skin and a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure in the insulation cavity. The safety system is configured to monitor a rate of change in the measured pressure and to determine that damage to the storage tank has occurred if the rate of change in the measured pressure is above a desired value.