Impact resistant tank for cryogenic fluids

An impact resistant tank for storing cryogenic fluids, comprising:

• an inner tank of metallic material compatible with cryogenic temperatures and having a side wall, a bottom and a roof means;
• insulation means surrounding the side wall and positioned below the bottom and above the roof means for insulating the inner tank from ambient temperature;
• an impact resisting, free standing, reinforced concrete wall positioned in concentric, spaced relationship around said inner tank, said concrete wall extending at its upper end above the upper end of the inner tank side wall, said concrete wall being post-tensioned to increase the ability of the concrete to withstand cryogenic temperatures;
• an impact resisting, reinforced concrete bottom disposed in underlying relation to the inner tank bottom, said concrete wall protecting the inner tank wall from impact loads to maintain the liquid-containing integrity thereof, and said concrete bottom increasing the resistance of the inner tank bottom to impact loads thereon;
• and seal means on the inner surface and at the bottom edge of the reinforced concrete wall for containing cryogenic liquid in the event of a leak or rupture in the inner tank.