Thermoset IBC Venting for Fire-Safe Hazardous Liquid Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic composite intermediate bulk containers (IBC) are susceptible to softening and melting during fires, leading to structural integrity loss and release of contents, while stainless steel IBCs are heavy, opaque, and costly, failing to meet stringent fire safety guidelines.
Innovation Solution
Development of a thermoset polymer-based IBC with a vent mechanism, capable of enduring fire engulfment for 20 minutes without breaching, using crosslinked thermoplastic polymers like crosslinked chlorinated polyethylene (XL-CPE) and incorporating flame retardants, ensuring structural integrity and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid compositions are transported in conventional containers, then the containers can be easily manufactured and handled, but the liquid composition comes into contact with the container material which may cause contamination or interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where an inner container holding the liquid composition is placed inside an outer container. The inner container is made of a material that is inert to the liquid composition, preventing contamination while maintaining a manageable outer container structure for handling and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The container system is divided into separate components: an inner container that directly contacts the liquid composition and an outer container that provides structural support and protection. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function, ensuring purity while maintaining ease of handling.
2Reliability
If the container is designed to protect the liquid composition from environmental factors, then the liquid composition is protected from degradation, but the container becomes more complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The nested container design provides environmental protection through the inner container that is sealed and inert, while the outer container provides additional protection during transport. This layered approach achieves high reliability without requiring complex manufacturing processes, as each container can be manufactured using standard techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer container serves multiple functions: providing structural support, protecting during transport, and facilitating handling. The inner container provides chemical inertness and sealing. This multi-functionality approach achieves comprehensive protection while keeping the manufacturing process straightforward.
3Reliability
If a single-material container is used, then the container is easy to manufacture and handle, but it cannot prevent interaction between the liquid composition and the container material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a nested structure where the inner container is specifically selected to be chemically inert to the liquid composition, preventing interaction and contamination. The outer container provides structural support. This nested arrangement achieves high compatibility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that is easy to manufacture and handle.
Data Source
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AI summary
A container which is useful for safely storing and transporting compositions, such as liquid organic peroxide-containing compositions, which may be flammable, combustible, susceptible to exothermic decomposition, explosive and/or otherwise hazardous, is provided. The container includes a containment vessel having thermoset polymer-containing walls, as well as a vent mechanism. The containment vessel may be manufactured by a rotational molding process using a thermoplastic polymer, such as a polyethylene, which is crosslinked to provide the thermoset polymer.