Insulated LNG Tank Wall Membrane Anchoring for Uniform Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermally insulated tanks for liquefied gases experience uneven stress distribution on the corrugations of the primary waterproof membrane due to discontinuous thermal insulation barriers, leading to non-homogeneous behavior under thermal and mechanical stresses.
Innovation Solution
The primary waterproof membrane is anchored through flat portions between adjacent insulation panels, ensuring a mechanical connection that distributes deformation evenly across the insulation barrier, with anchoring elements spaced to optimize stress distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the primary thermal insulation barrier is made discontinuous with insulating panels placed side by side, then the thermal insulation performance is improved, but the stress distribution on the corrugations of the primary waterproof membrane becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the waterproof membrane have different properties in different regions: the flat portions between insulation panels have higher stiffness to provide mechanical connection and distribute stress, while the corrugated portions maintain flexibility for thermal deformation. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by ensuring uniform stress distribution despite the discontinuous insulation barrier.
2Reliability
If the corrugations of the primary waterproof membrane are anchored to anchoring elements fixed to insulating panels, then the waterproofing is ensured, but the stress concentration on specific corrugations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the waterproof membrane into distinct functional zones: flat portions that span multiple insulation panels to distribute stress, and corrugated portions that provide waterproofing. The flat portions act as stress-distributing elements between anchored corrugated sections, preventing stress concentration while maintaining waterproof integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat portions of the waterproof membrane serve as intermediaries between the anchoring elements and the corrugated waterproofing sections. These flat portions distribute the mechanical loads from anchoring elements across multiple corrugations, preventing stress concentration while maintaining the waterproofing function.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the insulation panels are rigidly fixed to the supporting structure, then the structural stability is improved, but the deformation distribution across the thermal insulation barrier becomes non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the waterproof membrane by introducing flat portions with high stiffness between insulation panels. These flat portions have different mechanical properties than the corrugated sections, allowing them to carry and distribute deformation loads uniformly across the discontinuous insulation barrier while maintaining structural stability.
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 achieves a more uniform stress distribution on the corrugations of the waterproof membrane, enhancing the lifespan and integrity of the tank by preventing insulation panel separation and optimizing deformation distribution.
Implementation Method 1
the flat portion of the waterproof membrane, positioned between the adjacent insulation panels, acts as a mechanical connection between them. This prevents the insulation panels from separating and helps to distribute the deformation of the supporting structure more evenly across the primary thermal insulation barrier
Implementation Method 2
These corrugations give the primary airtight membrane flexibility, allowing it to deform under thermal and mechanical stresses, particularly those generated by the liquefied gas stored in the tank and those related to the deformation of the supporting structure
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wall (1) of a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing a liquefied gas, said wall (1) comprising at least one thermally insulating barrier (6) and a sealed membrane (8) which is anchored to the thermally insulating barrier (6) and is intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas, the thermally insulating barrier (6) comprising a first insulating panel (7) and a second insulating panel (7) disposed along a first edge of the first insulating panel, the first and second insulating panels (7) being provided respectively with at least one first anchoring element (20) and at least one second anchoring element (20), and the sealed membrane (8) being welded to the anchoring elements; the sealed membrane (8) comprises corrugations (17, 18) separated from one another by flat portions (19) and at least one of the flat portions (19) is arranged astride the first and second insulating panels (7) and is welded to the first anchoring element (20) and to the second anchoring element (20).