Tank Container Heat Insulation Reflective Layer Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tank containers for non-refrigerated liquefied gases face challenges in achieving a lower design reference temperature without increasing weight, as conventional shading devices and insulation add significant weight and are not efficient in reducing pressure within the tank.
Innovation Solution
A heat insulation and reflective layer is applied to the outer surface of the tank, covering at least one-third of the total area, which reflects sunlight and provides effective insulation, replacing the need for shading devices and reducing weight compared to traditional insulation methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a shading plate is disposed on the top of the tank to shade the tank from direct sunshine, then the design reference temperature can be reduced to 55°C, but the weight of the shading plate is more than 80kg which increases the net weight of the tank container
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a white coating layer on the outer surface of the tank body to reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption. This color change approach achieves the shading effect without adding significant weight, reducing the design reference temperature to 55°C while avoiding the 80kg+ weight penalty of traditional shading plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical shading plate structure with a coating layer applied directly to the tank surface. This substitution eliminates the need for separate shading components and their associated weight, achieving thermal protection through a lightweight coating mechanism.
2Temperature
If a complete tank insulation is employed to reduce design reference temperature to 50°C, then the design pressure decreases, but a suitable insulation including insulation and an insulation cladding adds an additional weight of about 200 kg
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies insulation locally rather than completely covering the entire tank. The white coating layer is applied to the outer surface areas most exposed to sunlight, providing sufficient thermal protection to reduce design reference temperature to 50°C without the 200kg weight penalty of complete insulation cladding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite approach combining the white coating layer with the tank's existing structure. This composite material system achieves effective insulation and heat reflection without requiring separate heavy insulation layers and cladding structures.
3Strength
If the cylinder body thickness is increased to bear the maximum allowable working pressure, then the tank can safely contain liquefied gas under saturated gas-liquid mixed state, but the overall weight of the tank container increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary thermal protection through the white coating layer to prevent heat absorption before it can affect the tank contents. By reflecting sunlight and reducing heat transfer to the liquefied gas, the coating prevents pressure rise in advance, allowing for optimized (reduced) cylinder wall thickness while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The white coating layer serves as a preliminary cushioning layer that protects the tank from thermal stress before it can build up. This beforehand protection reduces the thermal load on the cylinder body, enabling weight optimization of the structural components while maintaining pressure containment safety.
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 heat insulation and reflective layer effectively reduces temperature rise within the tank, lowering the design reference temperature and design pressure, thereby enhancing safety and reducing the overall weight of the container.
Implementation Method 1
The heat insulation and reflective layer has high reflectivity to sunshine, the sunshine shining on the surface of the tank may be well reflected back
Implementation Method 2
the heat insulation and reflective layer has good heat insulating effect, which may obviously reduce heat transmission between the tank and outerspace
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~3a
Figure 3b~4a
AI summary
The present invention relates to a ank container (10, 20, 30, 40), comprising: a tank (12, 22, 32, 43) comprising a cylinder body (121, 221, 321, 421) and two sealing heads (122, 222, 322, 422) configured to seal two end openings of the cylinder body (121, 221, 321, 421) respectively; a heat insulation and reflective layer (13, 23, 33, 43) disposed on the outside of the tank, the heat insulation and reflective layer (13, 23, 33, 43)) at least covers an upper surface of the cylinder body (121, 221, 321, 421) comprising a top surface of the cylinder body and a part of side surface extending from the top surface, the heat insulation and reflective layer (13, 23, 33, 43) covers an area of the cylinder body (121) at least one third of the total area.