TANK BASE INSULATION:  Pittsburgh Corning FOAMGLAS® HLB for the insulation of liquified natural gas (LNG) tank bases

 
 
Please note:  Nobody knows cold and cryogenic insulation like Pittsburgh Corning.  PC provides the finest time tested solutions for tank base insulation, combining the desired thermal properties with the required compressive strengths for long term performance.  Click here to have one of our technical experts provide the necessary details.
 
 

How is an LNG tank constructed?  Take a look at this short video, which gives an explanation of the construction process.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTyaHWRNBvE&feature=youtu.be

 

 
 

Pittsburgh Corning FOAMGLAS® HLB sits under over 90% of the world's Liquified Natural Gas tanks, a critical application requiring high load bearing capabilities and thermal insulation properties.

 
 

 
General information

FOAMGLAS® HLB cellular glass is particularly recommended for the insulation of LNG tank bases, due to its high compressive strength, non absorptive and non combustible nature. A large number of existing tank bases were built using one of the various grades of FOAMGLAS® HLB insulation.  This design remains successfully in use today.

 

The actual design of a load bearing insulated base is a specialized engineering discipline and numerous qualified companies have their own preferred design and construction procedures.

 

When designing a load bearing insulated tank base system, many factors must be evaluated in determining the specific type of FOAMGLAS® HLB insulation and capping system to be employed.

 

These include, but are not limited to :

  • tank height
  • type of liquid to be stored
  • storage temperature
  • preferred application procedures
  • local environmental conditions such as earthquake requirements
  • load during hydro testing
  • existence of non vertical forces, etc.

 

These factors along with the need to satisfy certain design safety factor requirements, will generally determine the most appropriate type of HLB material.

 

Historically, many load bearing applications of FOAMGLAS® cellular glass, and especially tank bases, were designed with a safety factor of three (3), based on the maximum working stress and the average compressive strength. The safety factor and other engineering factors are the responsibility of the project engineer in conjunction with the owner after a thorough consideration of the most severe prevailing or anticipated local design criteria.

 

 
 

PITTCOURSE 100

Click here for a Product Data Sheet.

 
Please click here to request more information, such as an HLB tank base guide specificiation from the FOAMGLAS® Insulation technical services department.