Trapezoidal Structural Panel for Cold Box Pre-Assembly and Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for assembling cold boxes in separation apparatuses at low or cryogenic temperatures face challenges such as increased weight and transport limitations due to the need for horizontal-to-vertical positioning, which complicates site assembly and increases costs, while also requiring extensive manpower and scaffolding for on-site installation.
Innovation Solution
A structural panel with a carbon or stainless steel box having a trapezoidal shape with inclined roof and bottom faces, housing accessories and piping sections, which can be prefabricated and connected to the distillation column on-site, reducing the need for extensive insulation and allowing easier access for maintenance, and featuring handling means for safe and efficient installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If accessories are installed in a package unit with horizontal-to-vertical positioning, then the unit can be pre-assembled in the workshop, but the weight of the enclosure increases considerably to ensure mechanical stability during erection
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the cold box into modular panels, each panel being self-supporting and capable of being assembled independently. This segmentation eliminates the need for a heavy enclosing structure during transport, as each panel is installed separately and contributes to the final enclosed structure only after reaching the installation site.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessories are pre-installed on the panels in the workshop before the panels are transported to the site. This preliminary action allows for quality control and assembly precision to be achieved without requiring a heavy enclosing structure during transport, as the panels are designed to be stable in their final vertical configuration.
2Ease of manufacture
If accessories are installed in a package unit with horizontal-to-vertical positioning, then the unit can be pre-assembled in the workshop, but transport limitations arise due to large volume
Solution Approach 1:
The cold box is divided into multiple flat panels that can be transported separately in a compact arrangement. This segmentation reduces the transport volume compared to a complete pre-assembled package unit, while still allowing for pre-installation of accessories on each panel in the workshop.
Solution Approach 2:
The panels are designed to be installed in a vertical orientation, transforming from a horizontal package configuration to a vertical assembled structure. This dimensional change allows for more efficient space utilization during transport and installation, reducing the overall volume requirements.
3Ease of operation
If site-mounted assembly is used for accessories, then transport limitations are avoided, but extensive manpower and scaffolding are required for installation
Solution Approach 1:
Accessories are pre-installed on the panels in the workshop before transport to the site. This preliminary action eliminates the need for workers to install accessories at height during on-site assembly, significantly improving installation efficiency and reducing the need for scaffolding and extensive manpower.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the manual installation process at height with a pre-assembled panel system that can be mechanically lifted and positioned into place. This substitution reduces the reliance on extensive scaffolding and manual labor, improving both safety and productivity.
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 approach reduces the overall dimensions for transport, minimizes on-site assembly risks, and maintains high-quality prefabrication standards, thereby lowering costs and facilitating the installation of cold boxes while ensuring effective insulation and accessibility for maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
having a roof and/or bottom sloping at an angle of between 45° and 60° with respect to the panel in order to avoid the sloping of the perlite and a loss of performance of the insulation
Implementation Method 2
The insulation used is generally perlite
Implementation Method 3
The casing is itself installed in the package in order to allow it to be thermally insulated, generally with rock wool
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Structural panel (5.5A) intended to be part of a cold box of a low temperature distillation separation apparatus comprising at least one box (1) of carbon steel or chrome and nickel alloy of rectangular or non-rectangular trapezoidal cross-section, possibly isosceles, having a roof and/or bottom inclined at an angle of between 45° and 60° to the panel and an open face, the open face being positioned on the inner face of the structural panel.