Liquefied Natural Gas(LNG) demand has been rapidly increasing in Korea for many reasons such as a stable supply, pollution-free energy, and an energy diversification policy. As a result, the construction and expansion of LNG storage facilities have been performing at a vigorous pace. Korea Gas Corp. (KOGAS) has developed a design technology for LNG storage tanks. One of the most important structural core elements of the LNG storage tank is the stainless steel membrane. The membrane installed inside of LNG storage tank is provided with corrugations to absorb thermal contraction and expansion caused by LNG temperature. Analytical results have been performed to investigate the proper behavior of the membrane and the constraint force at the anchor point. Experimental studies are performed to investigate the deformation and strength of the membrane which is designed by KOGAS. All experiments are conducted on the basis of RPIS (Recommended Practice for LNG In-ground Storage), and we found the results are fully satisfied with the RPIS.
Since the Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) began the import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in 1986, the consumption of Natural Gas (NG) has increased rapidly by an energy diversification policy and a clean pollution-free energy. Generally NG is stored in a liquefied state using the liquefaction method at atmospheric pressure and the temperature of -162oC in order to decrease volume and make transportation easy. There are various classifications for LNG storage tanks. They are classified comprehensively into two types according to the contact shape between the tank and soil: in-ground type and aboveground type. Generally, LNG storage tanka are composed of three parts: inner tank, outer concrete wall and roof. According to the shape of the inner tank, there are two types of LNG storage tank: 9%-Ni type and Membrane type.
