Automated analysis and design of LNG storage tank: reducing engineers’ time and time to market.
Paper presented at Gastech Exhibition and Conference, Milan, Italy, 5-8 September 2022 by Jesus Rodriguez of LUSAS.
This paper describes an efficient design approach for LNG storage tanks that adopts a 2D axisymmetric model for thermal analysis, and a 3D shell model for structural loads, considering seismic effects. This requires an integrated methodology extending to the combination of results and design checking, with detailed attention to the varying reinforcement orientation.
Methods have been developed based on the requirements of ongoing LNG tank projects for companies such as KOGAS (Korea Gas Corporation) and KGT (Korea Gas Technology Corporation). These enable all the required design checks to be performed in a single 3D shell model bringing together results from thermal, seismic, and staged construction analyses and allowing design checks performed to various international standards.
LUSAS finite element analysis software was used to develop the required tools to automate the modelling and design of the storage tanks. Customisation and automation through an open API enables users with basic programming knowledge to create the various user defined features required, extract results and combine them with speed and accuracy in the desired format.
Solutions to the challenges encountered have enabled improvements in the efficiency of the analysis and design process for LNG storage tanks to reduce the engineers time and time to market by an estimated 20-30%.
