System and method for anchoring air separation unit structures to concrete foundations

Abstract

A system and method for anchoring a cold box structure of an air separation unit to a concrete foundation is provided. One such embodiment provides a concrete foundation having a plurality of reinforced concrete piers projecting vertically from a top surface of the concrete foundation and configured to anchor the cold box structure to the reinforced concrete piers using a plurality of horizontally disposed anchor bolts. Alternatively, the concrete foundation may include a plurality of hollow steel structures projecting vertically from a top surface of the concrete foundation and configured to anchor the cold box structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for fastening a frame of a cold box structure of an air separation plant to a concrete foundation, the system comprising:
 a concrete foundation having a plurality of reinforced concrete piers projecting vertically from a top surface of the concrete foundation, wherein the reinforced concrete piers are arranged to project vertically from the top surface of the concrete foundation at locations adjacent to the outer perimeter of the cold box structure;   a plurality of anchor bolts, each anchor bolt comprising an anchor bolt body having a first end and a threaded second end, with both ends configured to be projecting from the one of the plurality of the reinforced concrete piers in an orthogonal orientation to the vertical projection of the one of the plurality of reinforced concrete piers from the top surface of the concrete foundation;   wherein the threaded second end of each of the one or more anchor bolts are configured to pass through a bore on a frame of the cold box structure; and   one or more nuts configured to screw onto the threaded second end of each anchor bolt body to fasten the frame of the cold box structure to the plurality of reinforced concrete piers.   
     
     
         2 . A hollow steel structure assembly for fastening a cold box structure of an air separation plant to a concrete foundation, the hollow steel structure assembly comprising:
 one or more hollow steel structures, each hollow steel structures comprising a body defining a central axis, a length measured along the central axis and a width or diameter measured orthogonally to the central axis, the body further defining a first end configured to be embedded in the concrete foundation, and a second end configured to be projecting from the concrete foundation;   wherein the second end of the one or more hollow steel structures are configured to project from a top surface of the concrete foundation and further configured to project into the frame of the cold box structure.   
     
     
         3 . The hollow steel structure assembly of  claim 2  further comprising a steel plate or other reinforcing structure affixed to the body proximate the first end and extending in an orthogonal orientation to the central axis of each of the one or more hollow steel structures, the steel plate configured to be embedded in the concrete foundation. 
     
     
         4 . The hollow steel structure assembly of  claim 2  wherein the body of each of the one or more hollow steel structures is a tapered configuration. 
     
     
         5 . A hollow steel structure assembly for fastening a cold box structure of an air separation plant to a concrete foundation, the hollow steel structure assembly comprising:
 one or more hollow steel structures, each hollow steel structures comprising a body defining a central axis, a length measured along the central axis and a width or diameter measured orthogonally to the central axis, the body further defining a first end configured to be embedded in the concrete foundation, and a second end configured to be projecting from the concrete foundation, and one or more alignment holes in the body proximate the second end;   wherein the second end of the one or more hollow steel structures are configured to project from a top surface of the concrete foundation and further configured to project adjacent to the outside perimeter of the cold box structure; and   one or more anchor bolt assemblies configured to traverse through the alignment holes proximate the second end and couple the one or more hollow steel structures to the frame of the cold box structure in a horizontal orientation.   
     
     
         6 . The hollow steel structure assembly of  claim 5  wherein portions of the one or more hollow steel structures are filled with concrete. 
     
     
         7 . The hollow steel structure assembly of  claim 5  further comprising a steel plate affixed to the body proximate the first end and extending in an orthogonal orientation to the central axis of each of the one or more hollow steel structures, the steel plate configured to be embedded in the concrete foundation. 
     
     
         8 . The hollow steel structure assembly of  claim 7  wherein the size of the steel plate is selected such that a perimeter of the steel plate is between about  0 . 25  times the embedment depth of the body to about  4 . 0  times the embedment depth of the body. 
     
     
         9 . The hollow steel structure assembly of  claim 7  wherein the steel plates of the one or more hollow steel structures provide punching shear reinforcement to the concrete foundation proximate the one or more hollow steel structures. 
     
     
         10 . The hollow steel structure assembly of  claim 7  wherein the steel plates of the one or more hollow steel structures are further configured to be disposed below a longitudinal reinforcement within the concrete foundation.