Method and apparatus for insulating a component of a low-temperature or cryogenic storage tank
View Patent ↗A new process for insulating the void in a thermal distance piece in a low-temperature or cryogenic storage tank uses a vacuum source to draw insulation into the TDP. Two remotely spaced openings to the void are provided. A strainer is temporarily mounted in one of the openings. The other opening is connected to a suction wand. The wand has an inner cylinder that extends through an outer cylinder and projects outwardly from a proximal end of the outer cylinder. Distal air vents are provided on the inner cylinder, near a distal cap that connects distal ends of the cylinders. Proximal air vents are provided on a proximal cap that connects a portion of the inner cylinder to a proximal end of the outer cylinder. The distal end of the wand is inserted into a container of insulation. When a vacuum is drawn through the opening with the strainer, the insulation is drawn through the wand and into the void.
1. A method that is used to insulate a void in a component of a low-temperature or cryogenic storage tank, and includes the steps of:
providing a first opening to the void; providing a second opening to the void;
providing a strainer on the first opening;
connecting one end of a pipe or tube to the second opening;
drawing a vacuum through the first opening; and
inserting another end of the pipe or tube into a container of insulation, resulting in the insulation being drawn by the vacuum through the pipe or tube and into the void;
wherein the pipe or tube is part of a wand, the wand comprising:
an outer cylinder;
an inner cylinder that extends through the outer cylinder;
a proximal cap that connects proximal ends of the inner and outer cylinders;
a distal cap that connects a portion of the inner cylinder to a distal end of the outer cylinder;
an air vent on the inner cylinder, near the distal cap; and
an air vent on or near the proximal cap.
2. A method as recited in claim 1 , in which the component is a thermal distance piece.
3. A method as recited in claim 1 , in which: the first and second openings each have a diameter of between ¾″ and 2″.
4. A method as recited in claim 1 , in which the openings are provided by removing a plug from a pipe coupling or threadolet.
5. A method as recited in claim 1 , in which the strainer is removed after the insulation is drawn into the void.
6. A method as recited in claim 1 , that also includes the step of: sealing a portion of the component prior to drawing the vacuum.
7. A method as recited in claim 1 , that also includes the steps of: wrapping a portion of the component with plastic sheeting prior to drawing the vacuum.
8. A method as recited in claim 1 , in which: the vacuum is drawn to at least 2″ of HG.
9. A method as recited in claim 1 , in which the insulation is perlite insulation or granular insulation.
10. A method as recited in claim 1 , in which the container of insulation is a bag of perlite insulation or granular insulation.
11. A method as recited in claim 1 , in which the second opening is spaced remotely from the first opening.
12. A method as recited in claim 1 ,
wherein the outer cylinder is between 1″ and 3″ in diameter and is at least 10″ long.