Insulation of steel tanks

Claim 1

In an improved storage vessel facility, the storage vessel facility comprising a steel tank of generally cylindrical configuration, the tank having a generally cylindrical side wall and a generally conical roof, a plurality of thermal insulating panels disposed at least on the roof, a majority of the panels having a generally rectangular configuration, the panels comprising at least a layer of foam plastic insulating material, the panels having first and second major faces and edges, the first major face of the panels having affixed thereto a weather resistant layer, the edges of the panels being beveled in such a manner that the first major face has dimensions greater than the second dimension face, the foam plastic material of the panel defining a plurality of slots, the slots extending inwardly into the panel from the second major face, the panels being affixed to an outer surface of the tank in a generally rectangular pattern by means of a plurality of studs and threaded retainers passing through the panels, the studs being generally peripherally disposed with respect to the panels.