LNG storage tank is the core special equipment in the liquefied natural gas industry chain, designed to safely store LNG at an ultra-low temperature of -162°C under normal pressure. This “super low-temperature storage and transportation facility” is extremely crucial. It maintains the low-temperature state of liquefied natural gas through a high-performance insulation system and ensures zero leakage of flammable and explosive media under complex working conditions.
Unlike traditional storage tanks, liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tanks almost exclusively adopt mature double-layer structural designs. The inner tank directly comes into contact with the low-temperature liquid and is generally made of 06Ni9DR low-temperature steel or 304 austenitic stainless steel. These materials still maintain excellent toughness and structural strength at minus 196°C, avoiding the risk of brittle fracture of ordinary steel in ultra-low temperature environments. The outer tank serves as a protective structure and is constructed from high-strength pressure vessel steel or reinforced concrete, capable of withstanding external impacts, wind loads, and seismic loads. The interlayer between the inner and outer tanks is filled with insulation materials such as expanded perlite and elastic glass fiber mats, and is maintained in a high vacuum state, thereby minimizing the entry of external heat and controlling the daily evaporation rate of LNG to below 0.3%.
According to different application scenarios, LNG storage tanks can be divided into multiple types. These small storage tanks come in two types: vertical and horizontal. Their capacities range from 50 to 200 cubic meters. They are mainly used in liquefied natural gas filling stations, industrial gas distribution points, and distributed energy projects.The vertical mother-daughter tank composed of multiple parallel sub-tanks can easily achieve a total storage capacity of more than 2000 cubic meters, which is suitable for urban peak-shaving gas storage stations. The large-scale atmospheric full-capacity tank used in LNG receiving stations has now reached a single tank capacity of 270,000 cubic meters, which can stably supply gas for millions of households.
A qualified LNG storage tank is also equipped with a complete safety monitoring system. The operating parameters in the storage tank are transmitted in real time through high-precision servo level gauges, radar level gauges and pressure sensors.The two-stage redundant safety valve and emergency shut-off valve can automatically release pressure when the tank pressure is abnormal, effectively avoiding safety risks caused by excessive BOG (boil-off gas). Before leaving the factory, the welding joints of the storage tanks must undergo X-ray non-destructive testing and strict hydraulic and pneumatic pressure tests. Only after obtaining the certification from the national special equipment supervision department can they be officially put into use.
As the core equipment to ensure the stable operation of the LNG industry, the manufacturing level of LNG storage tanks directly determines the safety and economic benefits of the entire gas supply system. Choosing the right compliant storage tank product can effectively reduce the evaporation loss during operation and also avoid potential risks caused by an inappropriate selection.
As the core equipment to ensure the stable operation of the LNG industry, the manufacturing level of LNG storage tanks directly determines the safety and economic benefits of the entire gas supply system. For high-quality, certified and low-evaporation-loss LNG storage tanks for diverse project needs, you can rely on Zhuoyue Gas Equipment for reliable and cost-effective cryogenic storage solutions.
