Containerlike monolithic assembly of sets of framework structure components for large-scale industrial facility construction

Abstract

A set of post-and-beam support framework structures is provided for eventual assembly to form a civil engineering scale facility for large-scale industrial equipment and associated features, the set of framework structures sized and with fittings and fasteners to function when assembled for shipment as a standardized multi-modal shipping container, with corner castings to permit the module to be treated during transport and inventory as a standard shipping container.

1 . A set of post-and-beam support framework structures for eventual assembly to form a civil engineering scale facility for large-scale industrial equipment and associated features, the features comprising at least one of: conduits, pipe-ways and cable-trays, catwalks and man-ways—the set of framework structures made sized to be fitted and fastened together to form a module functional as a standardized multi-modal shipping container, to permit the module to be treated during transport and inventory as a standard shipping container. 
     
     
         2 . A module comprised of a set of post-and-beam support framework structures fitted and fastened together as a standardized multi-modal shipping container, the module to be assembled from the set of framework structures at or near the place of manufacture of the set of framework structures, the module functional as a standardized multi-modal shipping container, and adapted to be taken apart to reassemble the set of framework structures to form larger components of a civil-engineering scale facility for large-scale industrial equipment and associated features at or near an eventual destination. 
     
     
         3 . The set of  claim 1  protected by at least one of: the module may be skinned, or the framework structures may be coated, painted, covered or otherwise isolated from the ambient environment. 
     
     
         4 . The set of  claim 2  protected by at least one of: the module may be skinned, or the framework structures may be coated, painted, covered or otherwise isolated from the ambient environment. 
     
     
         5 . The set of  claim 1  where at least one post-and-beam support framework structure is capable of bearing a 10 metric ton load on each post. 
     
     
         6 . The set of  claim 2  where at least one post-and-beam support framework structure is capable of bearing a 10 metric ton load on each post. 
     
     
         7 . The set of  claim 1  where an assembly of at least two of the support framework structures are attached to each other by one or more beams, the one or more beams having been fitted and fastened to form the standardized module, each beam spanning up to about 7 meters, and each beam capable of carrying a load of up to about 20 metric tons. 
     
     
         8 . The set of  claim 2  where an assembly of at least two of the support framework structures are attached to each other by one or more beams, the one or more beams having been fitted and fastened to form the standardized module, each beam spanning up to about 7 meters, and each beam capable of carrying a load of up to about 20 metric tons. 
     
     
         9 . The set of  claim 1  where the facility for large-scale industrial equipment and associated features is one of: a crude oil transshipment railyard, a SAGD steam generation and production facility, a heavy oil upgrader, a refinery, a chemical processing or food processing plant, a petro-chemical facility, and mining and mineral processing facilities. 
     
     
         10 . The set of claim  claim 2  where the facility for large-scale industrial equipment and associated features is one of: a crude oil transshipment railyard, a SAGD steam generation and production facility, a heavy oil upgrader, a refinery, a chemical processing or food processing plant, a petro-chemical facility, and mining and mineral processing facilities. 
     
     
         11 . The set of  claim 1  where the framework structures are assembled at the eventual destination to facilitate one of: gas compressor, steam generator, pumps, air compressors, separation or process vessels, heat exchangers, absorption towers, dessicant beds, controlled chemical reactors, water treatment equipment, and associated features. 
     
     
         12 . The set of  claim 2  where the framework structures are assembled at the eventual destination to facilitate one of: gas compressor, steam generator, pumps, air compressors, separation or process vessels, heat exchangers, absorption towers, dessicant beds, controlled chemical reactors, water treatment equipment, and associated features. 
     
     
         13 . A method of shipping a set of post-and-beam support framework structures from at or near their place of manufacture to an eventual destination as a module which functions as a standardized multi-modal shipping container by:
 a. Designing the framework structures to be manufactured and then fitted and fastened together into a module within the boundaries of a spatial envelope, and with strength and load-bearing points to function as a type of standardized multi-modal shipping container   b. Fitting and fastening the structures together in a module which conforms to the characteristics of a standardized multi-modal shipping container, including at least:
 i. Corner castings at each of the module's corners suitable for multi-modal transport means; 
 ii. Outside dimensions to match those permissible for multi-modal transport containers; 
   c. Shipping the module as a multi-modal shipping container to the eventual destination; and   d. Disassembling the module into the set of post-and-beam support structures for use in construction of a civil engineering scale facility for large-scale industrial equipment and associated features.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising an intermediate assembly location at which the module is disassembled into the set of post-and-beam support structures and assembled to form a larger sub-component of the eventual facility and associated features, which larger sub-component is subsequently shipped to the eventual destination where the facility with associated features may then be constructed using the larger sub-component and other parts and components. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  where the module may also comprise other structural components or materials.