Fluid-Solid-Thermal Coupled Freezing Modeling Test of Soil under the Low-Temperature Condition of LNG Storage Tank

Abstract

Due to the extensive utilization of liquid nature gas (abbreviated as LNG) resources and a multitude of considerations, LNG storage tanks are gradually transitioning towards smaller footprints and heightened safety standards. Consequently, underground LNG storage tanks are being designed and constructed. However, underground LNG storage tanks release a considerable quantity of cold into the ground under both accidental and normal conditions. The influence of cold results in the ground freezing, which further compromises the safety of the structure. Existing research has neglected to consider the effects of this. This oversight could potentially lead to serious safety accidents. In this work, a complete set of experiments using a novel LNG underground storage tank fluid-solid-thermal coupled cryogenic leakage scale model were conducted for the first time to simulate the effect of the tank on the soil temperature field, stress field, and displacement field and to analyze the development of the three fields and the results of the effect. This research helps the related personnel to better design, construct, and evaluate the LNG underground storage tanks to avoid the catastrophic engineering risks associated with cryogenic leakage and helps to improve the design process of LNG underground storage tanks.