Modular transporter moving a massive tank - GIF

[Altair]

Modular transporter moving a massive tank.



Previously:

Modular transporter moving a platform spar buoy - photo
SpaceX Starship on modular transporter - GIF
Modular transporter demonstration fail - video
Modular transporter moving an old steam locomotive - photo
Modular transporter moving a cracking tower - GIF

[nova_robotics]

What the heck kind of cladding is that? Looks like the tanks have been insulated with paper-mache.

[Frank S]

What the heck kind of cladding is that? Looks like the tanks have been insulated with paper-mache.

I suspect it is sprayed on urethane foam insulation then painted

[meyer77]

Why that shape, instead of round? Seems like a lot of work.

[Frank S]

Why that shape, instead of round? Seems like a lot of work.

That would be for strength. and conservation of materials A vessel of that size if round would be difficult maintain its shape in transport for one, If it is that huge in diameter you can imagine its length would be equal to the maximum length a ship could haul over the ocean. Had it been round perfectly cylindrical of equal sectional area, that length would have required a multiple of internal supports as well as linear supports to keep it from turning into something resembling the Oscar Myer hot dog car. The more internal structure you have the less useable volume there is. An added plus would be by making it a-tri cylinder shape the center of gravity would be lowered

[nova_robotics]

I dunno. The stresses would get really weird on those end caps if they were all fused into one interior volume like that. I'd bet that these are stacked cylindrical tanks with just a butt ton of insulation. Cryogenic tanks are ridiculously cold. To keep it that cold they generally allow product to boil off and vent. If you want your product to still be there at the receiving port you need to insulate. A lot.

[Frank S]

I dunno. The stresses would get really weird on those end caps if they were all fused into one interior volume like that. I'd bet that these are stacked cylindrical tanks with just a butt ton of insulation. Cryogenic tanks are ridiculously cold. To keep it that cold they generally allow product to boil off and vent. If you want your product to still be there at the receiving port you need to insulate. A lot.

Could very well be, but I find the transitional definition between the tanks of at least the end caps to be a little too well defined to suggest a triple stack of insulated cylinders.