Underwater Storage Tank Integrity Monitoring via Conductive Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underwater storage tanks for chemical products face challenges in detecting structural damage promptly to prevent leaks, as existing sensors are not universally applicable, costly, and primarily designed for damage detection rather than prevention, with limited versatility and adaptability to different chemical compositions and depths.
Innovation Solution
A flexible multilayer tank with an intermediate electric conductive layer sealed between insulating layers, connected to a grounded measurement instrument to assess physical integrity, allowing for early detection of leaks and integrity issues through electrical conductivity changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pH measuring sensors with specific selected measurement electrodes are used to measure acidic or basic chemical product leaks, then measurement accuracy for specific chemical compositions is improved, but device complexity and cost increase, and adaptability to different chemical compositions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a generic electrical conductivity sensor that can detect leaks of any chemically conductive fluid regardless of its specific composition. This universal sensor replaces multiple specialized sensors (pH electrodes for acids/bases, infrared sensors for aromatics), allowing the same device to function across diverse chemical products without requiring specific calibration or replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from composition-specific measurements (pH levels, infrared absorption spectra) to a universal electrical conductivity measurement. This parameter transformation enables a single sensor type to detect various chemical leaks by measuring their common property of electrical conductivity, rather than requiring different sensors for different chemical properties.
2Measurement precision
If infrared measurement sensors are used to measure aromatic chemical product leaks, then measurement capability for aromatic compounds is improved, but device cost increases significantly and depth measurement capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical/infrared measurement systems with a simpler electrical conductivity-based detection system. This substitution eliminates the technological limitations of infrared sensors regarding depth measurement while maintaining effective leak detection capability through electrical property measurement rather than optical property measurement.
3Reliability
If detection sensors are used to detect chemical product leaks, then leak detection capability is improved, but the sensors are not universally applicable to any chemical product composition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a generic electrical conductivity sensor that can detect leaks of any chemically conductive fluid regardless of its specific composition. This universal sensor replaces multiple specialized sensors (pH electrodes for acids/bases, infrared sensors for aromatics), allowing the same device to function across diverse chemical products without requiring specific calibration or replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from composition-specific measurements (pH levels, infrared absorption spectra) to a universal electrical conductivity measurement. This parameter transformation enables a single sensor type to detect various chemical leaks by measuring their common property of electrical conductivity, rather than requiring different sensors for different chemical properties.
4Reliability
If existing detection sensors are used, then leak detection is possible, but detection occurs only after the tank is broken rather than preventing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous real-time monitoring of the flexible tank's electrical integrity through the embedded conductive layer. This preliminary detection capability identifies integrity issues before they progress to actual leaks, enabling preventive maintenance and intervention before chemical product escape occurs, thus transforming reactive leak detection into proactive damage prevention.
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
Enables early intervention to prevent leaks, reducing economic and environmental damage by providing a versatile and cost-effective solution for monitoring the integrity of underwater storage tanks, applicable to various chemical products and depths.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible multilayer tank (3), in which the flexible tank comprises an intermediate electric conductive layer (5) sealed between two electrically insulating layers (4, 6), and first electrical connection means (8) connected to the intermediate conductive layer (5) which is connectable to a grounded electrical measurement instrument (10) to assess the physical integrity of the flexible multilayer tank (3)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to an underwater storage tank (1) of a working liquid (2) comprising a flexible multilayer tank (3) containing said working liquid (2), said flexible multilayer tank (3) comprising at least one internal electrical insulating layer (4) in contact with said working fluid (2), at least one external electrical insulating layer (6) in contact with said sea water, at least one intermediate electric conductive layer (5) sealed between said at least one internal electrical insulating layer (4) and said at least one external electrical insulating layer (6), and in which said underwater storage tank (1) comprises at least one first electrical connection means (8) connected to said intermediate conductive layer (5), said first electrical connection means (8) being electrically connectable to an electrical grounded measurement instrument (10) to assess the physical integrity of said flexible multilayer tank (3).