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Liquor Co2 Storage Tank
Cassman
Liquid CO₂ is stored under demanding conditions of low temperature (-20°C to -30°C) and high pressure (2.0 to 2.5 MPa). Our large-scale tanks (typically 50m³ to 1000m³, with custom solutions up to 2000m³) are engineered to be robust, stable, and deformation-resistant.
Optimized Vertical Cylindrical Design:
The primary structure is a vertical cylinder to maximize storage volume, topped with a dished or elliptical head that is 15-20% thicker than the shell. This geometry evenly distributes internal pressure, preventing stress concentration and potential fractures.
The base is either a flat bottom for secure anchoring to concrete foundations or a dished bottom for superior stress distribution and prevention of liquid pooling.
Reinforced for Low-Temperature Rigidity:
Annular stiffening rings are welded to the tank's exterior at 1-1.5m intervals. These rings counteract the loss of metal ductility at cryogenic temperatures, preventing the tank shell from bulging or deforming under its own weight and internal pressure.
Strategic Aspect Ratio & Foundation:
A carefully calculated height-to-diameter ratio (typically 1.5:1 to 3:1) balances footprint efficiency with structural stability against wind and seismic loads, with 2:1 being a common optimum.
Tanks rest on a reinforced concrete plinth (≥1.5m thick) featuring a moisture barrier and insulation layer (e.g., polyurethane board). This supports the immense weight (hundreds of tons when full) and prevents ground-frost heave caused by heat loss from the tank base.
Material selection is critical to withstand cryogenic embrittlement and potential corrosion from carbonic acid (formed when CO₂ dissolves in trace moisture). Our materials meet stringent requirements for low-temperature toughness, high-pressure strength, and corrosion resistance.
Primary Vessel Materials:
304L/316L Low-Temperature Stainless Steel: The standard for food-grade applications (brewing, food preservation). The low carbon content (≤0.03%) ensures excellent toughness down to -196°C, while the material resists corrosion from carbonic acid. 316L, with its added molybdenum, offers enhanced corrosion resistance for chemical applications with trace impurities.
16MnDR Low-Temperature Pressure Vessel Steel: A cost-effective choice for industrial, non-food-grade applications (welding, chemical synthesis), offering a 30-50% cost savings over stainless steel. It is rated for service down to -40°C with high tensile strength (≥315 MPa yield). An internal epoxy resin coating is applied to prevent carbonic acid corrosion.
Rigorous Testing: All materials undergo low-temperature impact testing (e.g., Charpy test ≥34J at -40°C) and hydrostatic pressure testing (at 1.25-1.5x the design pressure) to guarantee safety.
Auxiliary Components:
Seals & Gaskets: Fabricated from low-temperature nitrile or fluoro-rubber, which remain flexible down to -50°C to prevent hardening and leakage.
Valves & Piping: Utilize cryogenic-grade stainless steel valves (304L bodies, PTFE seals) and seamless stainless steel piping (≥5mm wall thickness) to prevent component failure at low temperatures.
Preventing heat ingress is paramount, as it causes liquid CO₂ to vaporize, leading to rapid pressure increases and product loss. Our insulation systems are designed for ultra-low heat leak (typically ≤0.5 W/(m²·K)).
Double-Wall Vacuum Powder Insulation (Primary Technology):
Structure: The inner storage vessel is enclosed by an outer protective shell. The space between the two walls is evacuated to a high vacuum (≤1 Pa) and filled with a cryogenic insulating powder like perlite or aerogel (thermal conductivity ≤0.02 W/(m·K)).
Performance: This combination virtually eliminates heat transfer via convection and conduction, resulting in an extremely low daily boil-off rate of ≤0.3%.
Key Features: Fiberglass or low-conductivity stainless steel supports are used to minimize thermal bridging between the inner and outer walls. For outdoor installations, the outer shell is coated with a UV-resistant paint to reflect solar radiation.
Multi-Layer Wrap Insulation (Alternative):
Structure: The inner vessel is wrapped with 10-20 layers of reflective material (e.g., aluminum foil) and insulating fabric (e.g., glass fiber), then encased in a thick (100-150mm) polyurethane foam layer and a protective outer jacket.
Application: A more cost-effective solution (20-30% less than vacuum powder) suitable for indoor applications or where a slightly higher boil-off rate (≤0.8% per day) is acceptable.
As regulated pressure vessels, our tanks are equipped with a multi-layered safety architecture to mitigate risks of over-pressurization, cryogenic burns, and asphyxiation from leaks.
Over-Pressure Protection System:
Dual Safety Valves: Two parallel safety valves are installed on top of the tank (one active, one standby). They are set to open automatically at 1.05-1.1x the design pressure.
Rupture Disc: Installed in series with the safety valves, this acts as a final fail-safe. If the valves fail, the disc will burst at 1.2-1.3x the design pressure, preventing catastrophic vessel failure.
Vapor Recovery: Vented gas is piped to a recovery or re-liquefaction system to prevent product loss and the dangerous ground-level accumulation of dense CO₂ gas.
Leak Detection & Hazard Mitigation:
Level & Pressure Sensors: Continuously monitor tank status, triggering audible and visual alarms if parameters exceed safe limits.
CO₂ Gas Detectors: Installed around the tank area to monitor ambient CO₂ levels (alarm threshold ≤5000 ppm). If triggered, the system automatically activates ventilation fans and can lock down area access.
Cryogenic Hazard Warnings: The tank is clearly labeled with "Low-Temperature Hazard" warnings, and all accessible pipes are insulated to prevent contact burns.
Emergency Shutdown (ESD) System:
Automated Cut-Off Valves: Pneumatic or electric emergency shutdown valves are installed on both the filling and discharge lines. These valves close automatically in response to over-pressure, leak detection, or fire signals, isolating the tank and containing the risk.
Our large-scale tanks are designed for 24/7 autonomous operation, leveraging advanced automation to ensure safety and efficiency.
Real-Time Remote Monitoring:
High-precision radar level gauges (±10mm), pressure transmitters (±0.01 MPa), and temperature sensors (±0.5°C) provide a continuous stream of data to a local PLC and a remote SCADA system.
This enables unattended operation, allowing personnel to monitor status, receive alarms, and control emergency systems from a central control room.
Automated Filling & Vaporization:
Automated Filling: The system controls the fill pump based on real-time level data, automatically stopping the process when the tank reaches 85-90% capacity. This leaves a safe ullage space for liquid expansion.
Vaporization on Demand: For gaseous supply, an external water-bath vaporizer is controlled by the system. It automatically adjusts heating to match downstream gas flow demand, ensuring a stable supply with minimal pressure fluctuation (≤5%).
Data Logging & Diagnostics:
All operational data is automatically logged and stored for at least one year, providing a complete history for performance analysis and troubleshooting.
The system includes self-diagnostic functions that identify and report sensor or valve failures, reducing downtime and streamlining maintenance.
Our tanks are optimized to meet the distinct requirements of different industries.
For Food-Grade Applications (Brewing, Food Processing):
Materials: All wetted surfaces (inner tank, valves, piping) are constructed from 304L/316L stainless steel and comply with food-contact certifications (e.g., FDA, EU 10/2011).
Hygiene: Tanks are equipped with Clean-In-Place (CIP) ports for periodic sanitization, and piping systems are designed for sterile purging with nitrogen before filling.
For Industrial-Grade Applications (Chemicals, Welding):
Materials: Can utilize cost-effective 16MnDR steel with internal anti-corrosion coatings.
Impurity Management: A sump/drain port is included at the base for the periodic removal of accumulated sediment or moisture.
For Outdoor Installations:
Enhanced Protection: The outer shell is made of weather-resistant steel to resist UV degradation and corrosion. The foundation includes an enhanced drainage system, and the tank is fitted with a lightning protection system.
Reinforced Insulation: A robust vacuum powder system is standard to counteract the effects of extreme ambient temperature swings.
A large-scale liquid CO₂ storage tank is far more than a simple container; it is a highly engineered system defined by its cryogenic and high-pressure resilience, ultra-low thermal loss, multi-layered safety protocols, and full automation. In contrast to smaller tanks, its design emphasizes industrial-scale reliability, remote operability, and strict regulatory compliance (e.g., ASME, PED). It is the foundational asset for ensuring a safe, stable, and efficient CO₂ supply chain in any demanding industrial or food-grade environment.
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