VORRICHTUNG ZUR VERBESSERUNG DER SICHERHEIT DER UNTERIRDISCHEN LAGERUNG VERFLÜSSIGTER GASE.

摘要

PCT No. PCT/FR91/00860 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 15, 1992 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 15, 1992 PCT Filed Nov. 4, 1991 PCT Pub. No. WO92/08662 PCT Pub. Date May 29, 1992.A safety device is provided for completely sealing off an underground liquified gas storage cavity when a dangerous situation arises, whereby all links between the storage cavity and the surface, including the vent link between the gas phase and the surface can be closed off by forming water plugs in the storage cavity. The water plugs are created automatically from existing reserves of water in the underground cavity. Maximum overall safety is achieved by not installing any important equipment in the underground storage cavity, by standardizing all links other than the vent link, and by minimizing the number of functional links required. Every standard link connects the gaseous or liquid phase of the gas to the surface via a side tube running downwards into a well containing water linked to the main tube which returns to the surface. The end of the main tube comprises a shut-off valve which causes the sealing water plug to be formed in both tubes once it is opened automatically or deliberately via an external signal.