| 摘要 |
A container and a method for storage and/or transport of a compressed fluid such as compressed natural gas are provided. The container has a pair of opposing heads and a wall section between the heads, the wall section defining a square cross-section comprising substantially planar sides joined together by rounded corners. The container is designed for the side walls to deflect outwardly while under pressure, but to be supported externally by a support system that restricts outward expansion of the side walls. The support system can be provided as the walls of a cargo hold in a marine or land transport vessel, an ISO shipping container or an underground shaft. Multiple containers can be located side by side in the external support system so that the sides of adjacent containers rest against each other for support while under pressure. In one embodiment, a container comprises an outside tank and a flexible membrane tank inside the outside tank, an annular space being defined in between, where a first fluid is charged into the membrane tank and a second fluid is charged into the annular space in order to discharge the first fluid. In another embodiment, a long tube having a square cross-section is coiled in a support structure and made gas-tight for holding a compressed fluid. The walls of the tube would tend to expand while under pressure, but adjacent coils and the support structure limit the expansion. |
