Underground pressure vessel construction method

Abstract

Abstract 997,538. Wells, &c. FENIX & SCISSON Inc. July 14, 1961 [July 15, 1960], No. 25702/61. Heading E1F. [Also in Division F4] In excavating a subterranean cavern for the storage of liquid petroleum gas (see Division F4) a shaft 38 Fig. 1 is sunk to below the roof level 43 of the proposed cavern, the extension is filled with sand 44 and a steel liner 39 in welded sections is lowered into the shaft, said liner having utility conduits 45, Fig. 2, welded to the exterior thereof thus leaving the interior of the liner free of obstruction thereby facilitating the removal of the sand 44 and of subsequently excavated earth and rock. Each liner section has external handling and locating lugs 53, 54, Fig. 6, welded thereto and the lower end of the first liner section is closed by a cast concrete slab 41 supported by rods 42 which allows water poured into the liner to serve as ballast to assist lowering of the first liner section and of sections subsequently welded thereto. The space between the shaft wall and the liner is filled with cement grouting 40, water is pumped out, slab 41 drilled out, sand 44 removed and the cavern excavated by conventional means. Finally the bottoms of conduits 45 are closed, sections 46, Fig. 4, are cut out of the liner at a predetermined level, conduits 45 cut, grouting 40 removed to provide a space 47 sections 46 replaced and cement is forced down one conduit 45 into space 47 thus effecting a permanent seal and the upper end of the liner is closed by a cap 71, Fig. 7 (not shown).

Inventors

• 👤 Sidney E Scisson
• 👤 Gilbert J Fenix

Bibliographic Details