Subterranean Gas Storage Adapter With Sealed Annulus
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Solution Overview
Problem
The storage of small molecular gases, such as hydrogen, poses challenges due to leaks and gas permeation, especially under pressure, as existing materials and seals are not effective, leading to potential catastrophic failures and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A subterranean storage container design featuring an adapter flange and inner liner with a sealed annulus filled with propylene glycol, which allows for the safe storage of small molecule gases at high pressures by minimizing material embrittlement and fatigue, using a casing constructed from materials like carbon steel, and employing metal-to-metal seals with optional gaskets for enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional materials and seals are used for storing small molecular gases under pressure, then the storage system can be simple and cost-effective, but leaks and gas permeation occur leading to safety hazards and potential catastrophic failures
Solution Approach 1:
The storage container is divided into multiple components: an outer casing, an inner liner, and an adapter assembly with flanges. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for specific functions - the outer casing provides structural strength, the inner liner prevents gas permeation, and the adapter enables secure sealing - thereby improving overall reliability while managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines different materials with complementary properties: carbon steel for the outer casing providing mechanical strength, and specialized liner materials resistant to small molecular gas permeation. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously achieve high reliability against leaks and maintain reasonable structural complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If existing large molecule gas storage systems are repurposed for small molecule gases, then labor and cost are reduced, but material embrittlement and fatigue occur reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The inner liner acts as an intermediary barrier between the small molecular gas and the outer casing material. This liner prevents direct contact between the gas and the carbon steel casing, eliminating embrittlement and fatigue issues, while still allowing the system to utilize existing large molecule gas storage infrastructure for repurposing
Solution Approach 2:
The design anticipates and prevents material degradation by incorporating the protective inner liner from the outset. This pre-protective measure cushioning against embrittlement and fatigue enables long service life while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of repurposing existing structures
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus in the form of a subterranean storage container configured to store a volume of a small molecular gas, such as hydrogen or methane. In some embodiments, a casing is arranged to extend into a subterranean formation. A top end of the casing is connected to a top cap structure. The top cap structure includes an adapter flange connected to an inner liner which extends within the casing and is separated therefrom by a circumferentially extending annulus. The annulus is configured to be filled with a fluid at a predetermined pressure. The fluid may be an uncompressible liquid such as propylene glycol. The small molecular gas is stored within an interior of the inner liner at a selected pressure, such as above 1000 pounds per square inch (psi).