Containers and methods for containing pressurized fluids using reinforced fibers and methods for making such containers

Abstract

Containers suitable for storing pressurized fluids at cryogenic temperatures of −62° C. (−80° F.) and colder are provided and comprise a self-supporting liner and load-bearing composite overwrap, whereby means are provided for substantially preventing failure of the container during temperature changes.

7 . A method of making a container suitable for storing a pressurized fluid at a pressure of about 1035 kPa (150 psia) to about 7590 kPa (1100 psia) and at a temperature of about −123° C. (−190° F.) to about −62° C. (−80° F.), said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) constructing a self-supporting liner, said self-supporting liner being suitable for providing a substantially impermeable barrier to said pressurized fluid; and    (b) overwrapping said self-supporting liner with adequate composite materials to form a load-bearing vessel in contact with said self-supporting liner, said load-bearing vessel being suitable for withstanding pressures of about 1035 kPa (150 psia) to about 7590 kPa (1100 psia) and temperatures of about −123° C. (−190° F.) to about −62° C. (−80° F.), and said composite materials having a coefficient of thermal expansion (i) that is substantially the same as the coefficient of thermal expansion of said self-supporting liner at the interface with said self-supporting liner, and (ii) that gradually decreases through the thickness of said load-bearing vessel as the distance from said interface increases.    
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein said composite materials comprise an intermediate material at the interface with said self-supporting liner, wherein said intermediate material has adequate shear strength or strain to substantially prevent failure of said container during changes in temperature between ambient and about −123° C. (−190° F.).  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein said self-supporting liner of step (a) is made of a material consisting essentially of aluminum and said composite materials comprise fibers selected from the group consisting of (i) carbon, (ii) glass, (iii) aramid, and (iv) Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein said self-supporting liner of step (a) is made of a material consisting essentially of a steel having a yield strength of at least about 690 MPa (100 ksi) and a ductile to brittle transition temperature lower than about −62° C. (−80° F.) in the base material and in its heat-affected-zone after welding and said composite materials comprise fibers selected from the group consisting of (i) carbon, (ii) glass, (iii) aramid, and (iv) Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene.  
     
     
         11 . A method of making a container suitable for storing a pressurized liquefied natural gas at a pressure of about 1035 kPa (150 psia) to about 7590 kPa (1100 psia) and at a temperature of about −123° C. (−190° F.) to about −62° C. (−80° F.), said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) constructing a self-supporting liner, said self-supporting liner being suitable for providing a substantially impermeable barrier to said pressurized liquefied natural gas; and    (b) over-wrapping said self-supporting liner with adequate composite materials to form a load-bearing vessel in contact with said self-supporting liner, said load-bearing vessel being suitable for withstanding pressures of about 1035 kPa (150 psia) to about 7590 kPa (1100 psia) and temperatures of about −123° C. (−190° F.) to about −62° C. (−80° F.), and said composite materials having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially the same as the coefficient of thermal expansion of said self-supporting liner at the interface with said self-supporting liner.    
     
     
         12 . A method of storing a pressurized fluid at a pressure of about 1035 kPa (150 psia) to about 7590 kPa (1100 psia) and at a temperature of about −123° C. (−190° F.) to about −62° C. (−80° F.), said method comprising the steps of containing said pressurized fluid in at least one container, said at least one container comprising (a) a self-supporting liner, said self-supporting liner providing a substantially impermeable barrier to said pressurized fluid; and (b) a load-bearing vessel in contact with said self-supporting liner, said load-bearing vessel having been made from composite materials and being suitable for withstanding pressures of about 1035 kPa (150 psia) to about 7590 kPa (1100 psia) and temperatures of about −123° C. (−190° F.) to about −62° C. (−80° F.), and said composite materials having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially the same as the coefficient of thermal expansion of said self-supporting liner at the interface with said self-supporting liner and that gradually decreases through the thickness of said load-bearing vessel as the distance from said interface increases.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein said at least one container comprises (a) a self-supporting liner, said self-supporting liner providing a substantially impermeable barrier to said pressurized fluid; and (b) a load-bearing vessel in contact with said self-supporting liner, said load-bearing vessel having been made from composite materials and being suitable for withstanding pressures of about 1035 kPa (150 psia) to about 7590 kPa (1100 psia) and temperatures of about −123° C. (−190° F.) to about −62° C. (−80° F.), and said composite materials having a coefficient of thermal expansion (i) that is substantially the same as the coefficient of thermal expansion of said self-supporting liner at the interface with said self-supporting liner, and (ii) that gradually decreases through the thickness of said load-bearing vessel as the distance from said interface increase.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein said composite materials comprising an intermediate material at the interface with said self-supporting liner, wherein said intermediate material has adequate shear strength or strain to substantially prevent failure of said container during changes in temperature between ambient and about −123° C. (−190° F.).  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein said self-supporting liner is made of a material consisting essentially of aluminum said composite materials comprise fibers selected from the group consisting of (i) carbon, (ii) glass, (iii) aramid, and (iv) Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein said self-supporting liner is made of a material consisting essentially of a steel having a yield strength of at least about 690 MPa (100 ksi) and a ductile to brittle transition temperature lower than about −62° C. (−80° F.) in the base material and in its heat-affected-zone after welding and said composite materials comprise fibers selected from the group consisting of (i) carbon, (ii) glass, (iii) aramid, and (iv) Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein said pressurized fluid is pressurized liquefied natural gas.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein said pressurized fluid is pressurized liquefied natural gas.  
     
     
         19 . A method for importing pressurized fluid comprising: 
 providing at least one container having a pressurized fluid, wherein the at least one container comprises (a) a self-supporting liner providing a substantially impermeable barrier to pressurized fluid; and (b) a load-bearing vessel in contact with the self-supporting liner and made from composite materials, the composite materials having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is substantially the same as the coefficient of thermal expansion of the self-supporting liner at the interface with the self-supporting liner and that gradually decreases through the thickness of the load-bearing vessel as the distance from the interface increases; and    unloading the pressurized fluid from the at least one container.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the at least one container is disposed in a transportation vessel.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the transportation vessel is a marine transport vessel.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the at least one container is secured to the marine transportation vessel by a two-point support system.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the pressurized fluid is pressurized liquefied natural gas.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the load-bearing vessel is suitable for withstanding temperatures of about −123° C. (−190° F.) to about −62° C. (−80° F.).  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the load-bearing vessel is suitable for withstanding pressures of about 1035 kPa (150 psia) to about 7590 kPa (1100 psia).  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the at least one container comprising an overwrap layer having one of carbon fibers, a material that provides similar creep performance as carbon fibers, and any combination thereof.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the composite material comprising an intermediate material at the interface with the self-supporting liner, wherein the intermediate material is configured to provide shear strength that prevents failure of the composite material in a temperature range from ambient to about −123° C. (−190° F.).  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the self-supporting liner comprises one of aluminum and steel having a yield strength of at least about 690 MPa (100 ksi) and a ductile to brittle transition temperature lower than about −62° C. (−80° F.).