Optimal Design Of 4000m~3 Spherical Tank Based On Finite Element Analysis

The spherical pressure vessel(hereinafter referred to as spherical tank)boasts the advantages of less floor space,light weight and high stress and pressure bearing capability due to its special structure,furthermore,it is convinient for transportation by transporting its components to destination as spherical tank could be installed on site.The application of spherical tanks is becoming increasing popular such as for storage of gas and liquid gas in the field of petro-chemistry,nuclear industry,urban gas and metallurgy.Thanks to the development of Chinese economy and industry,its design and manufacture technology in spherical tank has also witnessed outstanding progress,especially by analyzing and learning from abroad advanceddesign technology to improve the domestic large scale spherical tanks with large parameters.However,there is still gap of the spherical tank technology level between China and developed countries despite the fact that we have overcome the technology limitations of spherical tank design and manufacture,in addition,the steel material for spherical tank manufacture is almost wholely based on import,especially for the large ones.In order to meet the requirements of our industrilization and demand for spherical tank from all industries and sectors,China badly needs to have the design and construction technology as well as production of raw steel for spherical tanks.Finite element analysis is usually adopted in analyzing the spherical tank stress analysis.However,due to the complex structure,stringent requirements must be met for the modeling and grid partitioning of spherical tanks while stress analysis is conducted for the operation conditions,wind load,quake load,and hydraulic pressure.This paper mainly focuses on the following in studying the improved design for the 4000 m3 spherical tank of liquid petroleum gas:The introduction of spherical tank structure and application,its home and abroad study progress with the result that its design and constructions technology is badly needed as it started late in China.Analysis and calculation was conducted for the selected parameters of pillar wall thickness,junction plate thickness,up pillar height so as to get their best value.Based on the above calculation,the parameter and plan of improved pillar design was finally confirmed.The paper also uses ANSYS to conduct stress analysis of the spherical tank body and the finite element analysis and pressure assessment for the spherical tank under certain operation conditions,wind load,quake load,and hydraulic pressure as well as that of the large opening site(manhole)of the spherical tank.