Liquefied Gas Tank Membrane Assembly Without Connecting Sheet
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method of connecting the primary sealing membrane between the liquid dome and the main structure of a liquefied gas storage tank is cumbersome and weakens the mechanical integrity of the connection, making it prone to failure under high mechanical stresses.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves directly fastening adjacent sealing membranes of the main structure into the liquid dome, eliminating the need for a connecting sheet, and ensuring identical corrugation patterns for seamless alignment and enhanced mechanical resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a connecting sheet is used to join the primary sealing membranes of the liquid dome and main structure, then the membranes can be connected, but the connecting sheet must be deformed in situ which weakens it and compromises sealing reliability under high mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the connecting sheet from the assembly, eliminating the problematic element that required deformation and weakening under stress. The primary sealing membranes are directly joined without this intermediate component, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of assembly and sealing integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the previously separate operations of connecting the membranes and ensuring corrugation alignment into a single direct fastening process. The adjacent membranes are fastened together in their natural aligned positions, eliminating the need for separate deformation operations and strengthening the overall assembly.
2Manufacturing precision
If operators deform the connecting sheet in situ using striking tools to align corrugations, then continuity of vertical corrugations is achieved, but this operation is time-consuming and weakens the connecting sheet
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the connecting sheet, the invention eliminates the time-consuming deformation operation entirely. The adjacent membranes are directly fastened in their naturally aligned positions, achieving corrugation continuity without requiring striking tools or manual deformation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The membranes are prepared with pre-formed corrugations that are already aligned before assembly. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the membranes are directly fastened together, the corrugations automatically align without requiring in-situ deformation operations.
3Ease of manufacture
If a connecting sheet is used to ensure continuity of corrugations, then the membranes can be joined, but the connecting sheet becomes a weak point under high mechanical stresses in the liquid dome zone
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the connecting sheet from the assembly, eliminating the weak point that compromised mechanical strength under high stresses in the liquid dome zone. The direct fastening of adjacent membranes creates a stronger, more reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the connection function directly into the membrane assembly itself, eliminating the intermediate connecting sheet. This direct integration ensures that the full mechanical strength of both membranes is utilized without being compromised by a separate, potentially weaker connecting element.
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 method simplifies the assembly process, reduces production time, and enhances the mechanical strength and sealing integrity of the connection between the liquid dome and the main structure, ensuring reliable operation under stress.
Implementation Method 1
The primary sealing membrane conventionally comprises corrugations suitable for permitting thermal contractions, without failure of the membrane
Implementation Method 2
the corrugations conventionally forming a network of small and large corrugations extending parallel to each other respectively so as to form a grid delimited by node zones
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assembling and installing a liquefied gas storage tank, wherein the liquefied gas storage installation includes a load-bearing structure and a sealed and thermally insulated tank arranged in the load-bearing structure, in which so-called adjacent members of a sealing membrane of a cofferdam wall of a main structure of the tank protrude partially into a liquid dome, the so-called adjacent membranes directly sealably fastened to so-called adjacent membranes of the liquid dome.