Subsea Storage Tank Flexible Outer Container Volume Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea storage tanks face challenges in managing volume variations due to pressure and temperature changes, requiring additional systems like balance assemblies to maintain hydrostatic pressure and compensate for volume changes.
Innovation Solution
A subsea storage tank design featuring a rigid outer container with integrated flexible portions that expand and contract to compensate for volume variations, eliminating the need for additional systems by incorporating flexibility within the container's structure, and utilizing a hollow rigid member and fluid channels for safe filling and emptying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid outer container is used to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but the ability to compensate for volume variations due to pressure and temperature changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The outer container is divided into rigid portions and flexible portions, where the rigid portions provide structural integrity and the flexible portions compensate for volume variations. This segmentation allows the container to simultaneously maintain strength and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the outer container have different properties: rigid portions for structural support and flexible portions for volume compensation. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity and enabling volume adaptation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional systems like balance assemblies are added to compensate for volume variations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The volume compensation function is merged directly into the outer container structure through flexible portions, eliminating the need for separate balance assemblies. This integration reduces device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer container serves multiple functions: it provides structural integrity through rigid portions and simultaneously compensates for volume variations through flexible portions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated compensation systems.
3Reliability
If additional components are added to maintain hydrostatic pressure, then reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrostatic pressure maintenance function is combined with the outer container structure itself through flexible portions, eliminating the need for separate balance assemblies and associated weight. The container structure directly maintains pressure reliability.
4Device complexity
If flexible portions are integrated into the rigid outer container, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container structure has localized flexible portions with specific geometric features designed for controlled flexibility. These localized features are optimized during manufacturing to achieve the desired balance between structural integrity and flexibility, managing precision requirements effectively.
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 design allows for efficient volume compensation without additional components, reducing weight and complexity, enhancing safety through impact absorption and preventing fluid pocket formation, while maintaining structural integrity and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the outer container is rigid with at least one portion configured to flex so as to expand and contract to compensate volume variations caused by pressure and/or temperature variations
Implementation Method 2
a space between the outer container and the inner container being adapted to be filled with liquid through said first closable opening of the storage tank
Data Source
AI summary
Storage tank comprising—an outer container (2) having a first closable opening (23), and—an inner bladder container (3) disposed within said outer container (2) and having a second closable opening (30), said outer container (2) and inner container (3) being sealed with respect to each other, said inner container (3) being adapted to be filled and or emptied with a liquid through said second closable opening (30), a space (8) between the outer container (2) and the inner container (3) being adapted to be filled with liquid through the first closable opening (23). The outer container (2) is rigid with at least one flexible portion incorporated in the rigid outer container and configured to flex so as to expand and contract to compensate volume variations caused by pressure and or temperature variations to which the storage tank (1) is subjected.