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Contenu archivé le 2022-12-27

DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW STORAGE TECHNOLOGY FOR LPG

Objectif

The purpose of this project is to develop a new technology for shore storage of liquefied gases at atmospheric pressure and of high capacity (100,000 m3), applying the "membrane" technique, separating the support function from the sealing function ensured by membrane laid on the insulation. The objective of this project is to study the application on LPG tanks of a composite membrane that is much less expensive than the metal membranes used with LNG .
The pilot tank was built in the Oil Refinery of Flandres (Total-CRD ) near Dunkirk. Its capacity was 2,000 m3 (internal diameter 15,28 m, internal height 12,60 m). The concrete reservoir was built with the help of a sliding frame-work. The metal dome assembled at the bottom of the reservoir was "blown" in its final position, then covered with concrete. Hydropneumatic testing of the reservoir was completed in January 1984. The roundness of the reservoir was obtained within a clearance of more or less 2 cm.
End 1983, detailed studies of the insulating structure on a workshop model were completed and construction of the curved insulating panels was launched. The first elements were delivered in May 1984 on the worksite of Dunkirk. Assembling of insulating panels and first proof tests allowed to measure the assembling time and to finalize glueing procedures.
However, by the end of 1984, after two successive tests, the seal testing method showed its limits: important leaks were not detected by this test.
The first semester 1985 was devoted to improving the repair procedure and finalizing a leakproof control method that could be used at an industrial scale. These works allowed to define a success rate of the glueing procedure of 98% under hot temperature ( +40 deg. C) for the repair of leaking seals.
Furthermore, the proposed ammonia test showed that it was possible to obtain, after repair, a tightness compatible with the exploitation of a reservoir under gas. This ammonia test consists in injecting a nitrogen-ammonia mixture behind the insulating panels. The ammonia that passes through the membrane is then detected thanks to detecting bands which turn blue in the presence of ammonia.
A complete refrigerating-reliquefying unit was built in order to run reservoir exploitation tests as refrigerated gas was not available on the site.
A closed propane loop and an open loop on the tank, each centered on a compressor, allowed to cool and load propane at a rate of 4 T/h.
Unloading is carried out thanks to an immersed pump, the product is then heated before being dispatched. The reservoir and the whole installation are fitted with the appropriate instrumentation and safety devices concerning the temperatures, levels, pressures and gas concentrations. Safety systems and fire protection equipment has also been installed. Works started in June 1985 and were completed in November 1985.
Gas tests began at the end of 1985. A first load of butane at + 11,20 m and - 5 deg. C was subject to tests from 18 December 1985 to 6 February 1986. After that, the reservoir was heated, aerated and inspected. A second load, of propane, at 11,20 m and - 45 deg.
C was subject to tests from 24 March to 14 May 1986.
These tests showed that the primary barrier behaved satisfactorily. Under maximum load and low nitrogen injection between the membrane and the concrete, gas concentrations in that area were maintained below 2% volume.
The project consists in designing, building and testing a tank with a capacity of about 2,000 m3, this being a scale representative of subsequent industrial structures, built in accordance with the membrane technique known as GMS (gas membrane system). This pilot tank comprises the following elements:. a prestressed concrete shell (slab + cylinder). The dome of the tank consists of a metal envelope coated with a layer of concrete. a steam-barrier coating on the internal face of the tank. an insulating wall made up by juxtaposing 100 mm thick panels of PVC or polyurethane foam. a "TRIPLEX" sealing membrane consisting of a sheet of aluminium 70 micrometres thick placed between 2 layers of glass fabric.
This envelope, which is both perfectly gas-tight and liquid-tight, is applied to the panels in the works. After laying the panels inside the tank, continuity of the TRIPLEX membrane is ensured by joints in the same material.
The improvements expected from this technique are:. insulation without LPG gas content: the insulation space is in fact filled with inert gas which is continuously analysed. very easy access to work on and repair the tank.

Appel à propositions

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Régime de financement

DEM - Demonstration contracts

Coordinateur

GERTH
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Adresse
232 AV. NAPOLEON BONAPARTE
92500 Rueil Malmaison
France

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