New tanks for transporting liquefied natural gas have been developed in Russia. Due to their shape, they minimize the heat exchange of the contents with the external environment and can reduce transportation losses from 7% to 38%.
The author of the design, Anna Ekimovskaya, a student at MAI's Institute No. 6 "Aerospace", notes that spherical segments are optimally suited to the principle of "more usable space inside, but less material for the tank itself."
In simple terms, these are spheres with a cut-off part. They are then used to create structures similar to "unique caterpillars" for transporting fuel by sea and rail.
Currently, the spherical shape is often used for tanks when transporting liquefied gas by sea, but it is less economical.
For example, the "Grand Elena" sea tanker, built according to the "Sakhalin" project, has four spherical tanks. I argue that a similar volume tank made of four spherical segments will save 7–38% in liquefied gas losses, depending on compliance with other requirements. The volume of gas transported is about 150 thousand cubic meters. Up to 10% is lost, that is, about 15 thousand cubic meters. Thus, the savings will be from one thousand to more than five thousand cubic meters in just one voyage.
The National Gas Engine Association, RSC Energia named after S. P. Korolev, and the Yu. A. Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center have already expressed interest in Ekimovskaya's invention.
However, the concept can be used not only for transporting fuel. The MAI student has already patented an aquarium made according to the same principle from spherical segments. Its wall area is minimal, which is important for maintaining a stable water temperature.
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