Insulated Storage Tank Feedthrough Layout for Leak Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Storage tanks for volatile liquids face challenges in maintaining thermal insulation due to feedthrough failures, which can lead to gas leakage and unwanted heating of the tank contents.
Innovation Solution
A storage tank arrangement with inner and outer feedthrough arrangements that form seals with the tank surfaces, allowing sensor cords to pass through, and a container external to the tank to inhibit egress of contents in case of feedthrough failure, thereby isolating any leaks from the main inter-wall region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If feedthrough arrangements are used to allow sensor cords to pass through the tank walls, then sensor monitoring capability is improved, but the risk of leakage and thermal insulation failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tank is divided into multiple sealed compartments by bulkheads, with each feedthrough arrangement isolated in its own compartment. This segmentation ensures that if one feedthrough fails, the leakage is contained to that specific compartment and cannot spread to other areas of the tank, thus maintaining overall tank reliability while allowing sensor monitoring through the feedthroughs.
2Ease of operation
If feedthrough arrangements are used to permit sensor passage, then monitoring function is enabled, but thermal insulation effectiveness deteriorates due to potential gas leakage
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the tank into isolated compartments around each feedthrough, the patent localizes any potential thermal bridging or gas leakage to small, contained areas. This minimizes the impact on overall thermal insulation effectiveness while preserving the monitoring function provided by the feedthrough arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulkheads act as intermediary structures that provide thermal breaks and isolation barriers around the feedthrough arrangements. These intermediaries prevent direct thermal pathways between the interior and exterior of the tank at the feedthrough locations, maintaining thermal insulation effectiveness while allowing sensor passage.
3Device complexity
If a single containment structure is used for feedthrough arrangements, then device complexity is reduced, but leakage containment capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple bulkheads that divide the tank into separate compartments, with each bulkhead providing containment for its associated feedthrough arrangement. This segmented approach enhances leakage containment capability by isolating failures to specific compartments, while the overall structure remains relatively simple and integrated with the tank walls.
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 arrangement effectively contains leaks and maintains the thermal insulation of the inter-wall region, preventing unwanted heating of the tank contents even in the event of feedthrough failure.
Implementation Method 1
inner and outer feedthrough arrangements, each configured to form a seal with a respective surface of the storage tank arrangement
Implementation Method 2
a storage tank suitable for the storage of liquid gas comprising a tank inner wall and a tank outer wall separated by an insulating inter-wall region
Implementation Method 3
a container external of the storage tank outer wall, the container being configured to inhibit egress of the contents of the storage tank in the event of a failure of at least one of the inner and outer feedthrough arrangements
Data Source
AI summary
A storage tank arrangement, optionally suitable for a vehicle, includes a storage tank for storage of volatile liquids including a tank inner wall and a tank outer wall separated by an insulating inter-wall region, inner and outer feedthrough arrangements, each configured to form a seal with a respective surface of the storage tank arrangement and to permit passage therethrough, and/or permit connection of, of one or more sensors, and a container external of the storage tank outer wall, configured to inhibit egress of the contents of the storage tank in the event of a failure of at least one of the inner and outer feedthrough arrangements. A vehicle including such a storage tank arrangement is also disclosed.