A large volume natural gas storage tank comprises rigid tubular walls having closed tubular cross-sections that are interconnected at opposing ends with two other rigid tubular walls such that interiors of the rigid tubular walls define an interior fluid storage chamber. The storage tank also includes bulkheads positioned in the interior fluid storage chamber across intermediate segments of the rigid tubular walls and closure plates connected between exterior surfaces of successive interconnected rigid tubular walls to define sides of the storage tank. Interior surfaces of the closure plates and exterior surfaces of the rigid tubular walls define an auxiliary fluid storage chamber. The storage tank also includes exterior support structures extending through the closure plates and between the exterior surfaces of the rigid tubular walls on some of the sides of the storage tank to reinforce the storage tank against dynamic loading from fluid in the interior fluid storage chamber.

Method of constructing a vault of a large storage tank for liquefied natural gas by first modeling the vault with a 3-D modeling software application, then partially building the vault with a framework and a first set of covering panels fixed on the framework where the panels do not touch each other, but leave a number of gaps between them, measuring the dimensions of the actual gaps between the panels using a 3-D scanner, producing a second set of panels according to the scanned dimensional data, and finally filled the gaps between the first set of panels with the second set of panels, which are much smaller than the first set of panels, making the building process earlier and more accurate, which are difficult issues in building large tanks for liquefied natural gas.

Method of constructing a vault of a large storage tank for liquefied natural gas by first modeling the vault with a 3-D modeling software application, then partially building the vault with a framework and a first set of covering panels fixed on the framework where the panels do not touch each other, but leave a number of gaps between them, measuring the dimensions of the actual gaps between the panels using a 3-D scanner, producing a second set of panels according to the scanned dimensional data, and finally filled the gaps between the first set of panels with the second set of panels, which are much smaller than the first set of panels, making the building process earlier and more accurate, which are difficult issues in building large tanks for liquefied natural gas.

A self-calibrating system, apparatus, and method for accurately measuring a volumetric capacity of a tank. The system, apparatus and method comprise: a mechanism that adjusts a level of a platform; a light-emitting device with beam-like optics (laser, diode, etc.) mounted to the platform; mechanism for adjusting alignment of the light-emitting device with respect to the platform; a mechanism for rotating the platform by variable angles, including by 180-degrees; one or more level sensors (such as, for example, spirit levels, tilt sensors, or other devices) that provide feedback on the alignment of the platform normal to the gravity vector.

A self-calibrating system, apparatus, and method for accurately measuring a volumetric capacity of a tank. The system, apparatus and method comprise: a mechanism that adjusts a level of a platform; a light-emitting device with beam-like optics (laser, diode, etc.) mounted to the platform; mechanism for adjusting alignment of the light-emitting device with respect to the platform; a mechanism for rotating the platform by variable angles, including by 180-degrees; one or more level sensors (such as, for example, spirit levels, tilt sensors, or other devices) that provide feedback on the alignment of the platform normal to the gravity vector.

A cryogenic dewar may include an inner tank and an outer tank. The cryogenic dewar may further include one or more longitudinal stiffeners coupled to the inner tank at locations of stress that provide resistance to such stress. The inner vessel may include a combination of longitudinal stiffeners to allow the dewar to meet governmental imposed regulations on strength and safety of the dewar without increasing the weight of the dewar or to increase the amount by weight of cryogenic liquid that can be transported under governmental imposed regulations, or both, by, with the addition of longitudinal stiffeners, simultaneously increasing the grade of the material of the inner tank.

A tank is disclosed for use in the containment, transport, and/or storage of fluids, e.g., one or more liquids and/or gases. In one embodiment, the tank includes a plurality of segments collectively defining an interior chamber that retains the fluid(s), each of which includes opposing ends defining beveled mating surfaces. The tank also includes a plurality of endcaps positioned between, and in engagement with, adjacent segments, as well as a plurality of webs that include a series of first webs having a first configuration and a series of second webs having a second, different configuration. The first webs are positioned within the plurality of segments between the ends thereof, and the second webs are positioned within the endcaps. In an alternate embodiment, the tank is devoid of the endcaps, and instead, includes segments defining beveled mating surfaces that intersect at junctures to define four corner sections of the tank.

A tank is disclosed for use in the containment, transport, and/or storage of fluids, e.g., one or more liquids and/or gases. In one embodiment, the tank includes a plurality of segments collectively defining an interior chamber that retains the fluid(s), each of which includes opposing ends defining beveled mating surfaces. The tank also includes a plurality of endcaps positioned between, and in engagement with, adjacent segments, as well as a plurality of webs that include a series of first webs having a first configuration and a series of second webs having a second, different configuration. The first webs are positioned within the plurality of segments between the ends thereof, and the second webs are positioned within the endcaps. In an alternate embodiment, the tank is devoid of the endcaps, and instead, includes segments defining beveled mating surfaces that intersect at junctures to define four corner sections of the tank.

A precast, prestressed concrete tank and method that facilitates construction of a primary inner tank within a secondary outer tank, and which permits for the construction of the primary inner tank after the secondary outer tank has been erected, but without requiring insertion through a top of the secondary outer tank, or by tunneling underneath the secondary outer tank, is disclosed. The primary inner tank has an inner wall and the secondary outer tank has an outer wall (precast, prestressed concrete) and wire windings. The primary inner tank is disposed inside of the secondary outer tank. The secondary outer tank has a plurality of first precast outer wall panels, and a temporary construction opening frame. The temporary construction opening frame defines an access doorway during construction of the tank. The temporary construction opening frame is disposed on a foundation base slab.

A precast, prestressed concrete tank and method that facilitates construction of a primary inner tank within a secondary outer tank, and which permits for the construction of the primary inner tank after the secondary outer tank has been erected, but without requiring insertion through a top of the secondary outer tank, or by tunneling underneath the secondary outer tank, is disclosed. The primary inner tank has an inner wall and the secondary outer tank has an outer wall (precast, prestressed concrete) and wire windings. The primary inner tank is disposed inside of the secondary outer tank. The secondary outer tank has a plurality of first precast outer wall panels, and a temporary construction opening frame. The temporary construction opening frame defines an access doorway during construction of the tank. The temporary construction opening frame is disposed on a foundation base slab.