Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[1] The present disclosure relates to the field of process industry equipments. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a storage tank that is designed to store fluid having low temperature.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[2] The information in this section merely provides background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art(s) for the present disclosure.

[3] In process industries, storage tanks are well-known in the art. The storage tanks are utilized to store fluids and to maintain the temperature of the fluid stored therein as well. Particularly, these storage tanks are made to store fluid having temperature lower than 0? temperature. The storage tanks include a base, a roof, and one or more side walls attached to the base and the roof to form a closed chamber. The closed chamber is provided with an inlet to receive the fluid and an outlet to supply the fluid.

[4] The storage tank known in the art has a single containment, therefore, the chances of the leakage of the fluid from the storage tank into the atmosphere are more. Due to leakage of the fluid, the problem is not only the loss of the fluid but also the leaked fluid puts harmful effects on the atmosphere.

[5] Few researchers have come up with double containment storage tanks to address the above problem that are also known in the art. The double containment storage tank includes two chambers, which are an inner chamber and an outer chamber. The inner chamber is enclosed by the outer chamber so that the fluid leaked from the inner chamber can be restored in an annular space defined between the outer chamber and the inner chamber. However, one major problem associated with the double containment storage tanks known in the art is the accumulation of liquid in the annular space defined between the outer chamber and the inner chamber. Due to the large temperature difference between the inner chamber and the outer chamber, liquid droplets are formed at the outer surface of the inner chamber. Such liquid droplets fall down at a bottom region defined in the annular space between the inner chamber and the outer chamber and collectively create a buoyancy effect for the inner chamber.

[6] Due to such buoyancy effect, the inner chamber is uplifted by the liquid collected at the bottom region. Because of the upliftment of the inner chamber, it may collide at the upper potions of the outer chamber which may be caused to damage the inner chamber and the outer chamber, which is undesirable.

[7] The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[8] The one or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by the system/assembly as claimed, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of the system/assembly/method as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

[9] In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage tank is disclosed. The storage tank comprises a primary chamber configured to store fluid and defined with at least one primary wall. Further, the storage tank comprises a secondary chamber enclosing the primary chamber and defining with at least one secondary wall. The at least one secondary wall is spaced apart from the at least one primary wall. The at least one thermal insulation layer is disposed at an outer surface of the at least one primary wall of the primary chamber to prevent condensation of vapor inside the secondary chamber.

[10] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the primary chamber is defined with a primary base and a primary roof, wherein the at least one primary wall is extended between the primary base and the primary roof.

[11] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one primary wall has a vertical orientation, wherein a lower end of the at least one primary wall is joined with the primary base and a gap is defined between an upper end of the at least one primary wall and the primary roof.

[12] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one thermal insulation layer disposed at the outer surface of the at least one primary wall extending from the lower end of the at least one primary wall towards the upper end of the at least one primary wall.

[13] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a periphery of the at least one thermal insulation layer is defined with an inclined surface, wherein the inclined surface is inclined from the outer surface of the at least one primary wall towards the at least one secondary wall.

[14] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the primary chamber is made of metal.

[15] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the secondary chamber is made of metal or concrete.

[16] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage tank comprises a heating unit that is positioned between the at least one primary wall and the at least one secondary wall.

[17] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heating unit comprises one or more heating coils disposed at a portion of the secondary base of the secondary chamber.

[18] In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, an inner surface or an outer surface of the at least one secondary wall is defined with the at least one thermal insulation layer to prevent transfer of heat across the primary wall of the primary chamber.

[19] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

[20] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[21] The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

[22] Figure 1 illustrates a cut-sectional view of a storage tank, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[23] Figure 2 illustrates a cut-sectional view of a portion of the storage tank of Figure 1, including thermal insulation layers at walls thereof, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[24] Figure 3 illustrates a cut-sectional view of a portion of the storage tank of Figure 1, including thermal insulation material filled between a primary chamber and a secondary chamber, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[25] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[26] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the Figures and are described in detail below. However, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed. on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[27] Before describing detailed embodiments, it may be observed that the novelty and inventive step that are in accordance with the present disclosure resides in a storage tank. It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art can be motivated by the present disclosure and modify the various constructions of the storage tank. However, such modification should be construed within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

[28] In the present disclosure, the term “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[29] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, such that a device that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

[30] The terms like “at least one” and “one or more” may be used interchangeably or in combination throughout the description.

[31] Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a storage tank that maintains the fluid of the storage tank at low temperature. The storage tank comprises the primary chamber that is configured to store fluid and defined with at least one primary wall. Further, the storage tank comprises a secondary chamber enclosing the primary chamber and defining with at least one secondary wall. The at least one secondary wall is spaced apart from the at least one primary wall. The at least one thermal insulation layer is disposed at an outer surface of the at least one primary wall of the primary chamber to prevent condensation of vapor inside the secondary chamber. Accordingly, the storage tank maintains the fluid stored in the primary chamber at low temperature and prevents accumulation of liquid in a space between the primary chamber and the secondary chamber. With this configuration, the storage tank of the present disclosure prevents the primary chamber from being damaged through the buoyancy effect created through liquid collected between the primary chamber and the secondary chamber. . Further, the storage tank of the present disclosure is robust, safe, reliable, and economical.

[32] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts. Embodiments of the disclosure are described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In Figures 1 to 3, the same element or elements which have the same functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

[33] Referring to Figure 1, a storage tank (100), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, is depicted. The storage tank (100) is configured to store fluid therein. The fluid has a temperature in a range of - 5? to - 40?. Alternatively, the fluid may have a low temperature different from the said temperature range, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. The storage tank (100) is designed to maintain the temperature of the fluid stored therein, at low temperature.

[34] Referring back to Figure 1, the storage tank (100) comprises a primary chamber (20) and a secondary chamber (10). The primary chamber (20) is enclosed by the secondary chamber (10). The primary chamber (20) has a primary base (21), a primary roof (22), and at least one primary wall (23). The primary wall (23) is extended between the primary base (21) and the primary roof (22). The primary wall (23) has a vertical orientation. The primary wall (23) has a lower end that is sealingly joined with periphery of the primary base (21) and the primary wall (23) has an upper end. A gap is defined between the upper end of the primary wall (23) and the primary roof (22)in order to form a primary body to store fluid therein.

[35] The secondary chamber (10) has a secondary base (11), a secondary roof (12), and at least one secondary wall (13). The secondary wall (13) is extended between the secondary base (11) and the secondary roof (12). The secondary wall (13) has a vertical orientation. The secondary wall (13) has one end that is sealingly joined with a periphery of the secondary base (11) and the secondary wall (13) has the other end that is sealingly joined with a periphery of the secondary roof (12), in order to form a secondary closed body to enclose the primary chamber (20) therein.

[36] The primary closed body is enclosed by the secondary closed body such that the at least one secondary wall (13) of the secondary chamber (10) is positioned spaced apart from the at least one primary wall (23) of the primary chamber (20) to define a space (S) between the secondary wall (13) and the primary wall (23). The secondary roof (12) may have a dome-shaped. The secondary roof (12) is positioned spaced apart from the primary roof (22) of the primary chamber (20). The secondary base (11) and primary base (21) are defined with thermal insulation material in order to prevent transfer of heat from the earth surface towards the fluid stored in the primary chamber (20).

In an embodiment, the primary wall (20) is defined with at least one thermal insulation layer (30), as shown in Figure 2. The thermal insulation layer (30) is disposed at an outer surface (23a) of the primary wall (23). In an alternate embodiment, there may be more than one primary wall joining to one another and there may be more than one thermal insulation layer to be provided on the more than one primary wall. In another alternate embodiment, the thermal insulation material may be depleted at the primary wall (23) in powder form, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. The thermal insulation layer (30) is configured to restrict the flow of heat from the primary wall of the primary chamber so as to maintain the temperature of the fluid stored therein and prevent the formation of liquid droplets at the outer surface (23a) of the primary wall (23). The prevention of the formation of the liquid droplets may in turn prevents the collection of liquid in the space defined between the primary wall (23) and the secondary wall (13). Accordingly, this configuration of the storage tank (100) prevents the primary chamber (20) from being damaged due to the collection of liquid in the space (S) defined between the primary wall (23) and the secondary wall (13).

[37] Referring to Figure 2, the thermal insulation layer (30) disposed at the outer surface (23a) of the primary wall (23) that extends from the lower end of the primary wall (23) towards the upper end of the primary wall (23) at a certain height. The height of the thermal insulation layer (30) may be decided based on the level of height achieved by the fluid inside the primary chamber (20). In an alternate embodiment, the thermal insulation layer (30) may be fully extended between the lower end of the primary wall (23) and the upper end of the primary wall (23), without limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[38] The primary wall (23) proximal to the upper end of the primary wall (23) has a periphery (32) that is defined with an inclined surface. The inclined surface is inclined from the outer surface (23a) of the primary wall (23) towards the secondary wall (13). The inclined surface is configured to allow the liquid for spilling out there from the space (S) defined between the primary wall (23) and the secondary wall (13). This configuration of the storage tank (100) prevents the retention of liquid at the periphery of the thermal insulation layer (30).

[39] In an embodiment, the primary chamber (20) and the secondary chamber (10) are made of metal, for example, steel. In an alternate embodiment, the primary chamber (20) and the secondary chamber (10) may be made of metals other than steel, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. The secondary wall (13) of the secondary chamber (10) may be defined with the at least one thermal insulation layer (30). The thermal insulation layer (30) is disposed at an inner surface (13a) and/or an outer surface (13b) of the secondary wall (13) that restricts ingress of heat from the atmosphere inside the storage tank (100). Further, a portion of the secondary base (11) defined between the primary wall (23) and the secondary wall (13) is defined with the at least one thermal insulation layer (30). The thermal insulation layer (30) is disposed at an inner surface of the said portion of the secondary base (11) so as to restrict ingress of heat from the earth surface towards inside the storage tank (100).

[40] Referring back to Figure 2, the storage tank (100) comprises a heating unit (40). The heating unit (40) is configured to provide heat at predefined regions of the storage tank (100) in order to vaporize liquid/ collected between the primary wall (23) and the secondary wall (13). The heating unit (40) is positioned between the primary wall (23) and the secondary wall (13) so that the liquid collected in the space (S) between the primary wall (23) and the secondary wall (13) can be vaporized. The heating unit (40) comprises heating coils disposed at a portion of the secondary base (11) of the secondary chamber (10). This configuration of the storage tank (100) prevents the collection of liquid between the primary wall (23) and the secondary wall (13) that in turn prevents the primary chamber (20) from being damaged due to the buoyancy effect from the collected liquid in the space (S).

[41] The heating coils may have a heating medium that is selected from compressed boil-off gas or nitrogen. The said heating medium makes the usage of the heating coils in the storage tank, economical. In an alternate embodiment, the heating medium may be driven by sources other than compressed boil-off gas or nitrogen, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[42] Referring to Figure 3, in another embodiment, the primary chamber (20) is made of metal and the secondary chamber (10) is made of concrete. The concrete utilized in the secondary chamber (10) is in pre-stressed form. The at least one thermal insulation layer (30) is disposed at the outer surface (23a) of the primary wall (23) and a thermal insulation material (30a) is filled in the remaining space between the primary wall (23) and the secondary wall (10) in order to maintain the temperature of the fluid stored in the primary chamber and prevent ingress of heat from the atmosphere towards inside of the storage tank (100). One or more heating coils are disposed at a bottom region between the primary wall (23) and the secondary wall (13) in order to vaporize the liquid accumulated therebetween.

[43] The present disclosure relates to the storage tank (100), as explained in the above paragraphs, that is capable to prevent condensation of vapor inside the secondary chamber (10) in order to maintain the temperature of the fluid stored in the primary chamber (20). Further, the storage tank prevents formation of the liquid droplets between the primary wall (23) and the secondary wall (13). Accordingly, the storage tank (100) prevents the primary chamber (20) from being damaged due to the buoyancy effect created by the collection of liquid between the primary wall (23) and the secondary wall (13). Further, the above structure of the storage tank (100) prevents leakage of the fluid stored therein. Further, the storage tank (100) is robust, safe, reliable, and economical.

[44] The various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated embodiments; rather, these embodiments are intended to fully and completely disclose the subject matter of the disclosure to those skilled in this art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for clarity.

[45] Herein, the terms “attached”, “connected”, “interconnected”, “contacting”, “mounted”, “coupled” and the like can mean either direct or indirect attachment or contact between elements, unless stated otherwise.

[46] Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. As used herein, the expression “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[47] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, operations, elements, and/or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[48] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this disclosure, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other modifications in the nature of the disclosure or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

[49] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
Sr. No. Description
100 Storage tank
10 Secondary chamber
11 Secondary base
12 Secondary roof
13 Secondary wall
13a Inner surface of secondary wall
13b Outer surface of secondary wall
20 Primary chamber
21 Primary base
22 Primary roof
23 Primary wall
23a Outer surface of primary wall
30 Thermal isulation layer
30a Thermal insulation material
32 Periphery
40 Heating unit
S Space

[50] EQUIVALENTS:

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles, and the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations, and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
, Claims:We claim:
1. A storage tank (100), comprising:
a primary chamber (20) configured to store fluid and defined with at least one primary wall (23);
a secondary chamber (10) enclosed the primary chamber (20) and defined with at least one secondary wall (13),
wherein the at least one secondary wall (13) is spaced apart from the at least one primary wall (23),
wherein at least one thermal insulation layer (30) is disposed at an outer surface (23a) of the at least one primary wall (23) of the primary chamber (20) to prevent condensation of vapor inside the secondary chamber (10).

2. The storage tank (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary chamber (20) is defined with a primary base (21) and a primary roof (22), wherein the at least one primary wall (23) is extended between the primary base (21) and the primary roof (22).

3. The storage tank (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one primary wall (23) has a vertical orientation, wherein a lower end of the at least one primary wall (23) is sealingly joined with the primary base (21) and a gap is defined between an upper end of the at least one primary wall (23) and the primary roof (22).

4. The storage tank (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one thermal insulation layer (30) disposed at the outer surface (23a) of the at least one primary wall (23) extending from the lower end of the at least one primary wall (23) towards the upper end of the at least one primary wall (23).

5. The storage tank (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a periphery (32) of the at least one thermal insulation layer (30) is defined with an inclined surface, wherein the inclined surface is inclined from the outer surface (23a) of the at least one primary wall (23) towards the at least one secondary wall (13).

6. The storage tank (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the primary chamber (20) is made of metal.

7. The storage tank (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary chamber (10) is made of metal or concrete.

8. The storage tank (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a heating unit (40), wherein the heating unit (40) is positioned between the at least one primary wall (23) and the at least one secondary wall (13).

9. The storage tank (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the heating unit (40) comprises one or more heating coils disposed at a portion of the secondary base (11) of the secondary chamber (10).

10. The storage tank (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inner surface (13a) or an outer surface (13b) of the at least one secondary wall (13) is defined with the at least one thermal insulation layer (30) to prevent ingress of heat from the atmosphere towards the inside the storage tank (100).