Abstract: A hollow reinforced concrete sphere can be used as a container for transporting compressed gas, such as natural gas. Such containers can be interconnected and towed from one place to another by an ocean-going tugboat. Each container is formed with three band-like groups of reinforcing rings. Each group has its reinforcing rings disposed at right angles to the reinforcing rings in the other groups. The inner and outer surfaces of the container walls can be covered with a desired coating. In constructing the containers, they can be built at the water's edge and then rolled into the water.

Abstract: In a marine vessel for transporting liquefied gas at cryogenic temperatures, an improved support structure is provided for mounting the cargo tank in the hull of the vessel. The support structure includes a two-piece structure with a first upper annular skirt piece attached to and depending from the cargo tank at about the equatorial region. A second skirt piece is attached to and extends upward from the hull of the vessel and is proportioned to be received in a crotch formed between the outer surface of the tank and the upper skirt piece. The skirt pieces are mechanically joined to secure the tank within the hull.

Abstract: A heat-insulated container for liquefied gases, which includes a rigid outer shell internally lined with a heat-insulating material, is provided with a locating and/or supporting device for pumps or other apparatus. The support device is formed of a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion, such as an iron-nickel alloy and is bonded directly or indirectly to the heat-insulating material lining the rigid shell.

Abstract: A spherical tank is supported by a vertical skirt extending from the tank equator down to a foundation. An enclosed space defined by the spherical tank, the skirt and the foundation is made pressure tight and is connected to a pressure-regulating system, thus permitting regulation of the pressure within the space.

Abstract: A cargo transport system is characterized by a container having a cargo carrying volume therein, the container being disposed within a receptacle. The container is movable with respect to the receptacle from a first, lowered, position to a second, elevated, position. In the second position, the exterior surface of the container and the receptacle cooperate to define a separate, commercially attractive cargo receiving volume adapted to receive therein a cargo different from the cargo disposable in the cargo carrying volume. The container may be lifted to and then locked into the elevated position. Cargo is introduced into the cargo receiving volume through a cargo access arrangement. The cargo transport system may be adapted for barge, rail, truck, or other transportation modes. Either the receptacle or the container, or both, may be insulated to facilitate carriage of an elevated temperature cargo within the container and/or the receptacle.

Abstract: A support system for large generally cylindrical tanks in ships and including four supporting devices each comprising a tank portion and a hull portion respectively secured to the tank and hull, one of the supports being fixed with respect to linear horizontal movement, another of the supports being movable only transversely of the longitudinal axis of the tank, yet another of the supports being movable parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tank and still another support being movable both parallel to and transversely of the longitudinal axis of the tank; each tank portion of each support being connected with its respective hull portion by means of a spherical joint with thermal insulation between the spherical portions of the joints.

Abstract: In a spherical tank having a central vertical tower, the tower is rigidly connected to the tank shell at both ends, preferably by welding. The top of the spherical tank may be flattened in the area around the tower.

Abstract: A conical transition between the vaulted upper part of a tank onboard a ship and the tank dome is disclosed. This conical transition or cone solves vibration problems in the tank by increasing the natural frequency of the tank dome.

Abstract: A leak protection system on a tank for storing or transporting liquefied gas, having leak collection means which open out above a catch basin placed beneath the tank. The catch basin is of sufficiently large dimensions to permit the gradual evaporation of the leaked material, and is subdivided into a plurality of cells.

Abstract: A double-tank shipping container for general bulk liquid cargo, the container being constituted by a sea-going vessel having a single hull provided with a hold which defines the outer tank of the container and a prefabricated flexible bladder forming an inner tank received within the outer tank and readily removable therefrom. The inner tank has a configuration roughly conforming to the contours of the outer tank and yet capable of sustaining the liquid cargo in the event of a rupture in the outer tank, thereby to prevent spillage from the vessel and to avoid pollution of the seas.

Abstract: A protective collar for tank cars, which are used for the transport of materials capable of causing corrosion on the exterior surface of the tank car, is formed approximately in the shape of a downwardly facing C and is placed over the exterior upper surface of the car in the area of the car manway and associated fixtures, normally midway between the car ends. The collar is made of stainless steel or other such protective materials and is provided with apertures to accommodate the tank car manway and associated fixtures. The collar preferably is secured to the exterior surface of the car by means of a frame welded to the car surface and slidingly engaging the periphery of the collar to accommodate differential expansion between the collar and car.

Abstract: Prefabricated rigid insulating panels of great length, made of a fiberglass reinforced prestressed foam enclosed in a gas tight envelope and covered on their inner face by a folded metal membrane are glued directly to the cavity walls of the load bearing structure of a cryogenic tank by means of variable thickness adhesive mastic strips, which also separate channels for a gas circulation against the panels' back face. The beveled edge surfaces of adjacent panels are rigidly bonded under pressure. Panel handling, gluing operations, and membrane welding inside the closed space of a tank are done using telescopic towers fitted with four mobile arms, one of them supporting a worker-carrying bucket. Complete self standing inner tanks may also be assembled outside and inserted into the cavity of a vessel before it is covered over.

Abstract: A cryogenic liquefied gas tank composed of a gas-tight outer vessel, a heat insulating layer provided at the inside of the outer vessel and a liquid-tight inner vessel made of concrete and provided at the inside of the heat insulating layer, wherein the hydraulic pressure of the cryogenic liquefied gases loaded in the inner vessel is supported by the concrete inner vessel while the gas pressure of the cryogenic liquefied gases is supported by the gas-tight outer vessel.

Abstract: A tank for the transport or storage of liquified natural gas under pressure is of generally rectangular form and has its side, top and bottom walls each composed of a series of parallel lobes of part-spherical cross-section and of say, 3.0 to 4.0 meters chord distance, each tank end consisting of either a like series of lobes or a mosaic of domes. All the inter-lobe nodes of the top wall of the tank are united to the corresponding nodes of the tank bottom by vertical tie-plates; likewise all the corresponding inter-lobe nodes of the two side walls are united by transverse tie-plates which intersect the vertical tie-plates orthogonally, and thereby define with them a plurality of tunnels of square cross-section.The tie-plates extend longitudinally to unite the end walls of the tank and are welded to one another at all tie-plates inter-sections. The tank is supported on a series of parallel support ribs or frames that connect with the tank along the inter-lobe nodes of the tank bottom.

Abstract: Improved method for manufacturing spherical cryogenic liquid holding tanks as well as the tanks produced thereby, wherein at least the major hemispherical portions of such tanks are formed from curvilinear elongated quadralateral plate members which in the case of a given tank each have substantially the same arcuate minor axis dimensional width when measured at the midpoint of the arcuate major axis but varying lengths. These plate members of varying lengths are initially selectively arranged and secured to each other to form a series of substantially symmetrical and uniformly dimensioned, individual, triangular spherical tank sectors or modules.

Abstract: A support system is provided for a tank for the storage of fluid media under pressure which tank has its top, bottom and side walls each made up of a series of parallel outwardly convex lobes. The bottom supports of the support system comprise A-frame cradles that are secured to external structure, and have traylike saddles at their apices in which rest blocks of load-bearing heat-insulating material shaped at their tops to fit into interlobe nodal recesses of the tank bottom. When each heat-insulating block is in correct positional relationship with the respective tank bottom recess, the tray in which it rests is filled with synthetic plastics material which sets to anchor the block in place. The support system also comprises top and bottom locating keys which likewise are located at interlobe nodes of the tank top and bottom walls, each consisting of an extension piece or tongue projecting from an interlobe node to engage external support structure.

Abstract: Cryogenic insulation system for containers for storage of cryogenic liquefied gases such as LNG, comprised of a low temperature resistant metal, preferably high nickel steel, primary membrane or liner supported by a primary layer of reinforced foam insulation, and a secondary liner positioned adjacent to and sandwiched between the primary layer of foam insulation and a secondary layer of reinforced foam insulation. The preferably high nickel steel primary liner or membrane is supported above the primary foam insulation layer by stiffened ends of the reinforcement fibers which extend above the surface of the foam insulation, providing a small gap between the foam and the membrane. There is provided at corners, particularly at 90.degree.

Abstract: A floating liquid-storage tank has side walls of double-hull construction for storing a liquid lighter in specific gravity than water. The double-hull side walls consist of inner and outer hull sections and have watertight partition plates for dividing the hollows of the side walls into upper and lower ballast tanks. The outer hull sections of the upper ballast tanks are built to be resistant to the external water pressure and those of the lower ballast tanks are non-pressure-resistant. Holes through which the water outside can enter the lower ballast tanks are made in the outer hull sections of the lower ballast tanks. The partition plates are horizontally located at or slightly below the level of the intersection of the liquid-pressure distribution line and the external-water-pressure distribution line in the direction of depth of the storage tank in the full loaded condition.

Abstract: A liquid storage reservoir of which the internal space defined by the body, and, the upper and the lower covers, has mounted therein a hollow post interconnecting these covers and having its internal space communicating with the internal space of the reservoir for escape of vapors of the liquid being stored, the open end of the post extending beyond the internal space of the reservoir. The upper and lower covers are hollow and communicate via conduits extending in the body along the generatrix thereof, the open end of the hollow post entering the internal space of one of said covers, the internal space of the other cover communicating with a vessel for collecting condensed vapors of the stored liquid. The disclosed reservoir is particularly suited for storing easily evaporating and volatile liquids, because it practically eliminates their evaporation losses.

Abstract: Heat barrier components and improved thermal insulation techniques are provided for an external tank insulation system of ships carrying liquefied natural gas, propane, ammonia, etc. Reduction of liquid boil-off rate or initial cost of insulation through the reduction of radiant heat leak is accomplished by a composite insulation system including a high reflectance component material on the external surface of insulation and/or interior surface of the ship facing the tank. Further, refrigeration in tank boil-off is used to cool a radiation shield located between the tank insulation and surrounding enclosure, and to cool the skirt support.

Abstract: An oil tank which is inserted into a hold of an oil tanker vessel; the oil tank being smaller than the space in the hold so that there is approximately a three inch clearance all around the sides and bottom of the tank, this space being filled with a sprayed in foam.

Abstract: A method of supporting a metal tank having a circular horizontal section which comprises providing the tank with a horizontal ring-like portion having a substantially upright surface, forming a metal substantially upright skirt having a top portion with an internal surface which matches the tank ring-like surface and which has an internal diameter at ambient temperature at matching locations slightly less than the diameter of the tank ring-like surface at ambient temperature, heating the skirt top portion, or cooling the tank ring-like surface, or both until the internal diameter of the skirt top portion is larger than the diameter of the tank ring-like surface, positioning the skirt top portion around the tank ring-like surface, bringing the skirt top portion or the tank ring-like surface or both to ambient temperature to thereby shrink-fit them together, and joining the skirt top portion to the tank by welds, bolts or rivets.

Abstract: A tank with a circular horizontal cross-section, which expands and contracts in service, a tank support element on the tank and above the tank bottom extending horizontally around the tank and having a flat horizontal surface, a support base on which the tank support element flat horizontal surface rests in radial slidable contact, a horizontal collar member having a vertical or sloped circular face, a horizontal ring member having a vertical or sloped circular face, either the collar member or the ring member is joined to the tank and the other of the collar member or the ring member is joined to the support base, and the collar member vertical or sloped face is located around the ring vertical or sloped face, and restraining apparatus which prevents lateral movement of the tank when empty and at nonservice temperature.

Abstract: A heat insulating construction, formed on the hold bottom plates below a spherical tank of a liquified gas carrying vessel, consists of blocks of rigid urethane foam bonded to the hold bottom plates, filling members such as fiber glass inserted into the joints between the rigid foam blocks and adhesively bonded thereto, and a layer of glass mesh and adhesive covering the rigid foam blocks and filling members.

Abstract: A method of mounting a composite heat-insulating wall structure for a tank for the transportation of liquefied gases, wherein a wall of heat-insulating material is injected directly onto the secondary barrier formed by the ship's double hull, the primary barrier being secured on the insulating wall. This insulating wall is injected through the medium of moulds.

Abstract: A support device for an independent tank, wherein a first support member secured to the tank is adapted to be supported on the top surface of a second support member attached to a ship's hold. Particularly in the case of a spherical tank, a horizontal ring projecting from adjacent the equator of the spherical tank is adapted to be supported on a support deck installed around the inner periphery of a ship's hold, with a pressure-resistant heat insulating material interposed between the ring and the support deck. In such support device, an anti-floating member is provided on and projects from either the first support member or the second support member through the other member without touching the same. When the tank tends to float up, the free end of the anti-floating member and the mating member engage each other with the pressure-resistant heat insulating material interposed therebetween, thereby preventing the floating up of the tank.

Abstract: In combination, a ship having a hold, a tank which expands and contracts in the hold for transporting a liquefied gas, the tank comprising a metal shell having a substantially flat metal bottom portion supported by load bearing insulation on the ship hold bottom, the tank having a horizontal collar comprising vertical or sloped wall portions, the hold having a stationary horizontally positioned block having vertical or sloped wall portions having a periphery smaller than the collar, at least the collar wall portions or the block wall portions insulated, whereby at ambient temperature the collar is spaced outwardly from the stationary block periphery and when the tank is at a service lower temperature carrying a liquefied gas the collar contracts with the tank and the collar wall portions tightly contact the block wall portions, and restraining apparatus which prevents horizontal or lateral movement of the tank when empty and at ambient temperature when the ship rolls and pitches.

Abstract: A cryogenic liquefied gas tank of the membrane type including an inner membranous vessel having rounded corner portions, wherein the rounded corner portions are supported by saddle elements which are shifted by thermosensitive expansion and contraction rod means in accordance with the change of temperature of the membranous vessel so as to always fit the corner portions.

Abstract: Cryogenic insulation system for containers for storage of cryogenic liquefied gases such as LNG, comprised of a low temperature resistant metal, preferably high nickel steel, primary membrane or liner supported by a primary layer of reinforced foam insulation, and a secondary liner positioned adjacent to and sandwiched between the primary layer of foam insulation and a secondary layer of reinforced foam insulation. The preferably high nickel steel primary liner or membrane is attached to the primary layer of foam insulation by tongues of high nickel steel connected to the primary membrane at spaced positions therealong, and engaged in plywood retainers positioned within and bonded to the primary foam insulation layer. The plywood retainers for such tongues include spaces or channels in communication with a manifold for detection of cryogenic gas leakage. There is provided at corners, particularly at 90.degree.

Abstract: A two-piece skirt is disclosed for supporting a tank in the hull of a ship. One skirt portion carries a trough, and the edge of the other skirt portion extends into the trough but is spaced from contact therewith. The trough is filled with a hardenable material, preferably of low thermoconductivity, which upon hardening structurally joins the two skirt portions. If the tank carries liquefied gas, the joint effectively thermally insulates it from the hull.

Abstract: A liquid-transporting cargo ship has a hull which supports a main deck and several cargo tanks which extend above the main deck. A generally hemispherical cover surrounds the above-deck portion of each tank. The cover is formed of at least three self-supporting metal plating subsections, each of which is connected along its bottom edge to the main deck and along its lateral edges to a meridonal expansion member which is generally tubular in cross section. For cargo tanks designed to carry cryogenic liquid, the cover is made gastight, and an inert atmosphere is maintained in surrounding relation to each cargo tank.

Abstract: A marine container for holding liquefied gas wherein a metal tank having the general shape of a surface of revolution is designed to contain a liquefied gas by maintaining a low temperature therewithin via a surrounding thermal insulation barrier. A first layer of foamed polymeric panels, each having a predetermined hole pattern, are supported by studs affixed to said exterior surface and extending into the holes. Fibrous insulation fills the remainder of the holes and the joints between the edges of adjacent panels. Heat-insulating posts extend outward from the studs and support a layer of fibrous insulation and a third layer of foamed polymeric panels having an offset hole pattern. Fasteners secure the third layer panels upon the posts. Insulating material is foamed in situ through apertures in the fasteners to fill the holes around the posts.

Abstract: A new and improved apparatus for detecting cracks in the heat-insulating liner of a container for cold liquids, wherein a plurality of breakable or frangible electrical conductors and a barrier means having a woven mat of glass-fiber material are incorporated in the heat-insulating material and detector means is connected with the electrical conductors to detect breaks in the electrical conductors caused by cracks in the heat-insulating material attaining a critical length. The frangible electrical conductors may be frangible wires or stripes of conducting paint.

Abstract: When loading liquefied gas in a non-cooled skirt-supported tank the transitional area between the tank wall and the skirt is cooled down by direct cooling. Cooling arrangements for such cooling are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting liquified gas at low temperature, a supporting structure containing a self-supporting fluid-type tank, an annular supporting ring, an annular plate, comprising a plurality of sliding joints between said annular plate and ring which permit said ring to expand and contract radially with respect to said plate.

Abstract: A rigid thin shell container for transporting liquified gas in marine tankers at near ambient pressure, constructed of completely developable flat plate, the contour of which is octagonal everywhere in horizontal section but curvilinear in side elevation, with eight sides linear in plan but curved vertically to form circularly or elliptically arched shell surfaces, intersecting in a point at the top, and connected at the base to an octagonal flat bottom which permits the container to be seated directly upon the insulated ship's innerbottom.

Abstract: A support deck extends on a level above the bottom of a hold of a vessel carrying low temperature liquified storage spherical tanks, from bulkheads of the hull so as to surround such spherical tanks, while a horizontal support ring projects from the outer surface of the spherical tank and is supported on the support deck through support chocks. The circular inner peripheral edge of the support deck is supported by brackets erected on the bottom plate of the hold and radially extending toward the bulkheads or by columns erected on the bottom plate of the hold. In one construction, the inner peripheral edge of the support deck has an annular girder attached to the under side thereof and such girder is supported by brackets or columns. Further, in another construction, arcuate girders are provided only in regions close to longitudinal or transverse bulkheads and supported by brackets, and adjacent girders are interconnected by an arcuate leg plate erected on the bottom plate of the hold.

Abstract: A secondary insulating barrier for protecting the hold of a ship below a spherical low temperature liquified gas storage tank installed therein comprises at least two layers of rigid foam synthetic resin sprayed on the hold plates and covered by a layer of glass mesh and adhesive. Alternatively, the layers of synthetic resin, glass mesh and adhesive are applied to plywood attached to the hold plates by joists, thus forming an air space between the secondary barrier and the hold plates. Where the hold plates have a multi-surface construction, laminated rigid urethane foam blocks are butted end-to-end and are bonded to each other and to the plywood sheets at the corners between adjacent hold plates, the spray-formed layers are applied between the blocks, and the whole is covered by a protective layer of glass mesh and adhesive.

Abstract: Fluid-fluid explosive self-mixing of water and liquid natural gas contained in a cryogenic tank located in a hold of a ship is inhibited, in the event that the hold of the ship and the cryogenic tank are ruptured, by confining an inert gas under pressure in a multiplicity of tubes surrounding the cryogenic tank, the pressure of the inert gas in the tubes being such that the inert gas flows from the tubes to form a blanket of inert gas between liquid natural gas and water upon rupture of any tube or tubes.

Abstract: A support device for an independent tank, wherein a first support member secured to the tank is adapted to be supported on the top surface of a second support member attached to a ship's hold. Particularly in the case of a spherical tank, a horizontal ring projecting from adjacent the equator of the spherical tank is adapted to be supported on a support deck installed around the inner periphery of a ship's hold, with a pressure-resistant heat insulating material interposed between the ring and the support deck. In such support device, an anti-floating member is provided on and projects from either the first support member or the second support member through the other member without touching the same. When the tank tends to float up, the free end of the anti-floating member and the mating member engage each other with the pressure-resistant heat insulating material interposed therebetween, thereby preventing the floating up of the tank.

Abstract: A tanker for the storage and transport of liquified gas at low temperatures which includes a plurality of vessels arranged in an insulated hold in a vertical orientation and in an optimum space utilization pattern. The vessels have a cylindrical or prismatic configuration and a diameter-height ratio of about 1:2 to 1:5 and preferably of from 1:2.5 to 1:3.5. The vessels are arranged in spaced relationship and are interconnected exclusively at their upper and lower ends into one pack extending over the full width of the hold. The pack of vessels has at its center means acting on the bottom of the hold to position the pack horizontally.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in partial secondary barriers for self-supporting, axi-symmetrical cargo tanks having a layer of thermal insulation thereon, the cargo tanks mounted on board marine vessels having a double-bottom construction with an inner shell by means of an annular support supporting the cargo tank of the vessel. The improvement in the partial secondary barrier comprises a secondary barrier tank, preferably cylindrical in shape. The secondary barrier tank is installed under each cargo tank wherein the cross-section of the secondary barrier tank is substantially less than the maximum horizontal cross-section of the cargo tank. The barrier tank, in one embodiment, is structurally joined to the inner shell of the double bottom of the vessel. The tank comprises a stiff external wall, and internal thermal insulation, and an inner impermeable layer for withstanding the low temperatures of the liquid being collected in the secondary barrier tank.

Abstract: With a storage tank temporarily held in the correct position, an abutment plate is applied to the lower surface of each of support chocks projecting from a plurality of places circumferentially of the storage tank toward a support deck and in this condition such adjusting plates are temporarily fixed at the support deck as by bolts. A molding flask for preventing the outflow of resin material is placed to surround each abutment plate. Subsequently, a liquid resin material which, upon setting, becomes resistant to pressure and low temperature is poured into a space surrounded with the molding flask between the abutment plate and the support deck. After the resin has set, the storage tank is in the correctly installed condition supported by a support block formed of the resin. The upper surface of the support block serves as a slide surface provided by the abutment plate.

Abstract: This invention relates to containers for the bulk storage or transport of liquefied gases, for example, in ocean going marine tankers comprising a tank surrounded and supported at least from below by thermal insulation built up from panels sealed together and supported by an outer rigid shell.In such containers there is a problem of mounting the panels on said rigid shell so that they are rigidly fixed and aligned with each other.

Abstract: An improvement in fluid-tight isothermal tanks for holding liquefied gas and comprising sealing barriers of thin metal alternated with heat insulating barriers, the edges of two sealing barriers which intersect at a corner of the tank being connected by a deformable ring having an L-shaped section, with each flange comprising a strip of the same metal as said barrier attached to a plurality of spaced modules of heat insulating material, and the ring being fastened to an external supporting structure by draw bolts passing through the spaces between the modules.

Abstract: An insulating construction for a low temperature liquified gas storage tank consists of a plurality of heat insulating blocks or plates of rigid foam, each covered with a gas-tight sheet bonded thereto and each bolted at its approximate center to the outer wall of the tank. The joints between adjacent plates are filled with a heat insulating material and a gas-tight cover is applied to the exposed portions of this filler material and to the exposed ends of the bolts. Preferably, the inner surfaces of the plates are separated from the outer wall of the tank by spacers, providing a space which is filled with a soft foam resin and which forms a passage for conducting any leakage gas from the tank to a pipe located in a plate below the bottom of the tank and discharging such gas to the outside of the insulating construction.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vessel having natural gas liquefaction capabilities formed of a plurality of self-contained liquefaction assemblies, each of which being disposed in a separate liquefaction compartment.

Abstract: A container for low boiling liquefied gas formed of an inner and outer vessel spaced one from the other to provide an insulated space in between with the inner vessel being of cylindrical shape with the elongate axis horizontally disposed and means for supporting the inner vessel from the outer vessel by interconnection along the horizontal axis and in a manner to prevent relative rotational movement while permitting movement of the inner vessel relative to the outer vessel in the axial direction in response to expansions and contractions due to temperature change.

Abstract: In a marine vessel for transporting or storing a cargo tank adapted to contain liquified and/or compressed gas which tank is mounted on supporting structure connected to the hull of the vessel, the tank has a peripheral integral interface structure such that the exterior periphery of the interface structure extends beyond the periphery of adjacent portions of the tank to define an extension member which is adapted to be rigidly secured to the tank support structure.

Abstract: In a marine vessel having a hull structure for transporting or storing a cargo tank adapted to contain liquefied and/or compressed gas, the tank is supported by an annular skirt having opposed edges integrally secured respectively to the hull structure and to a peripheral portion of the tank; the skirt minimizes the stresses transferred between the tank and the hull structure and is adapted to accommodate changes in the dimensional characteristics of the tank, due to temperature changes therein, independently of the hull structure.