Testing inaccessible thermal barrier in liquified gas tank - thermographic camera measures thermal differences in pressure gradient

摘要

Liquified gas or hydrocarbons is stored at low temperatures in fixed installations or on ships. The containers have an inaccessible thermally isolating barrier between inner and outer container shells. This barrier is tested by measuring temperature gradient when a pressure gradient is present. A container (C) in a ship (9) has a thermal isolating barrier (A) of a cellular synthetic resin between an outer shell (C) and an inner shell (B). Spaces between the outer shell and barrier are filled with fibreglass wool. Heat is applied to both sides by elements (3, 4, 5, 6) connected to regulators to maintain constant the internal temperature (T2) while atmospheric pressure is present in the space(e1) outside the barrier and a vacuum is present on the inner surface (e2). A thermographic camera (7) is employed to indicate any thermal leakage.