Triple Containment Tank Pipe Support for Thermal Contraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Triple containment tanks face challenges in supporting pipes that penetrate through multiple shells due to thermal contraction of tanks, leading to stress on joined portions, as existing support structures for double-shell tanks do not account for the intermediate tank and its varying contraction rates.
Innovation Solution
A support structure for pipes in triple containment tanks, utilizing expandable pipes to couple and insert pipes through the outer, intermediate, and inner tanks, allowing for absorption of thermal contraction changes and reducing stress at joined portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pipe is directly coupled to both of the inner tank and the outer tank to secure the airtightness, then the airtightness between each tank and the pipe is improved, but excessive stress acts on the coupled portions by the relative displacement between the inner tank and the outer tank
Solution Approach 1:
A support structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the pipe and the tanks. This support structure includes coupling members that connect to both the inner and outer tanks, while the pipe passes through without being directly coupled to both tanks simultaneously. The intermediary support structure absorbs the thermal displacement differences between tanks, maintaining airtightness while preventing excessive stress on the pipe coupling portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure allows for changes in the spatial parameters (distance and position) between the pipe and tanks during thermal contraction. By designing the support structure with adjustable or flexible coupling mechanisms, the system accommodates parameter changes in tank positions due to thermal effects, thereby preventing stress concentration while maintaining sealing integrity.
2Reliability
If the pipe penetrates all three tanks (inner, intermediate, outer) with direct coupling to maintain airtightness, then the airtightness is improved, but the stress on joined portions increases due to varying thermal contraction rates of the tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure acts as an intermediary system that manages the penetration of the pipe through multiple tanks. Instead of directly coupling the pipe to all three tanks, the support structure provides intermediate coupling points that absorb and distribute the thermal stresses, allowing the pipe to pass through while maintaining airtightness without concentrating stress at any single joined portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system is segmented into multiple independent coupling sections, each handling the connection between specific tank interfaces. This segmentation allows each section to independently accommodate thermal displacement differences, preventing the accumulation of stress across the entire pipe-tank system while maintaining overall airtightness.
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
The support structure effectively absorbs inter-tank distance changes caused by thermal contraction, reducing stress at the joined portions between tanks and pipes, making it suitable for triple containment tank configurations.
Implementation Method 1
when the low temperature liquefied gas is stored in the inner tank, the inner tank contracts by cold heat of the low temperature liquefied gas
Implementation Method 2
the changes of the inter-tank distances are absorbed by the expansion and contraction of the expandable pipes
Data Source
AI summary
A triple containment tank includes an outer tank, an intermediate tank located in the outer tank, an inner tank located in the intermediate tank and storing a liquefied gas therein, and a pipe penetrating the outer tank, the intermediate tank, and the inner tank. The pipe is coupled to the outer tank through a first expandable pipe, is coupled to one of the inner tank and the intermediate tank through a second expandable pipe, and is joined to the other of the inner tank and the intermediate tank.