Supporting structure for containers used in storing liquefied gas

Apparatus for storing a cryogenic liquid comprising:

• an outer structural vessel having a height and width in excess of 10 feet;
• an inner structural vessel spaced from said outer structural vessel throughout its entire perimeter and bottom;
• granulated insulation material filling the void between said inner and outer vessels, said insulation being the sole means of support of said inner vessel;
• and
• means for prohibiting migration of said granulated insulation material from beneath said inner structural vessel to the sides thereof, said means for prohibiting migration comprising:
• a platform beneath said inner vessel resting on said granulated insulation material, said platform extending horizontally beyond said inner vessel substantially throughout the perimeter thereof;
• and
• a rigid cylindrical ring spaced by padding above the bottom of said outer structural vessel, said ring extending above said platform and horizontally spaced from said platform by less than ten inches throughout the perimeter thereof.

Apparatus for storing a cryogenic liquid comprising:

• an outer structural vessel having a height and width in excess of 10 feet;
• an inner structural vessel spaced from said outer structural vessel throughout its entire perimeter and bottom;
• granulated insulation material filling the void between said inner and outer vessels, said insulation being the sole means of support of said inner vessel;
• and
• means for prohibiting migration of said granulated insulation material from beneath said inner structural vessel to the sides thereof, said means for prohibiting migration comprising:
• an impediment spaced from said outer vessel, said impediment reducing the area between said inner and outer vessels at the junction of the bottom and side walls of said inner vessel to impede the movement of said insulation material;
• and
• spacer means for holding said impediment equally spaced from said inner vessel throughout the perimeter thereof.

A method of fabricating a storage vessel having a height and width in excess of 10 feet for the storage of a liquefied gas, comprising:

• forming an outer structural vessel having a bottom and side walls;
• placing granulated compressible insulation material on the bottom of said structural vessel;
• resting a platform solely on said granulated insulation material;
• resting an inner structural vessel which is smaller in height and width than said outer structural vessel solely on said platform spaced from the side walls of said outer structural vessel;
• and
• filling the area between said inner structural vessel and the side walls of said outer structural vessel with granulated compressible insulation material.

A method of fabricating a storage vessel having a height and width in excess of 10 feet for the storage of a liquefied gas, comprising:

• forming an outer structural vessel having a bottom and side walls;
• placing granulated insulation material on the bottom of said structural vessel;
• resting a platform solely on said granulated insulation material;
• placing an inner structural vessel which is smaller in height and width than said outer structural vessel on said platform spaced from the side walls of said outer structural vessel;
• filling the area between said inner structural vessel and the side walls of said outer structural vessel with granulated insulation material;
• and
• resting a ring surrounding the bottom of said inner structural vessel but spaced from said inner vessel on the floor of said outer vessel to act as a migration impediment for said granulated insulation material.

Apparatus for storing a cryogenic liquid comprising:

• an outer structural vessel having a height and width in excess of 10 feet;
• an inner structural vessel spaced from said outer structural vessel throughout its entire perimeter and bottom;
• and
• bulk granulated compressible insulation material filling the void between said inner and outer vessels, said insulation being the principal means of support of said inner vessel.