AU2023202279A1 - A dual walled tank - Google Patents
A dual walled tank Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2023202279A1 AU2023202279A1 AU2023202279A AU2023202279A AU2023202279A1 AU 2023202279 A1 AU2023202279 A1 AU 2023202279A1 AU 2023202279 A AU2023202279 A AU 2023202279A AU 2023202279 A AU2023202279 A AU 2023202279A AU 2023202279 A1 AU2023202279 A1 AU 2023202279A1
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- tank
- section
- tank section
- dual walled
- outer tank
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 71
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 46
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 4
- HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[Na+] HEMHJVSKTPXQMS-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 3
- 210000000078 claw Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 239000002356 single layer Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000002604 ultrasonography Methods 0.000 description 3
- VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrochloric acid Chemical compound Cl VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000008602 contraction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 231100001261 hazardous Toxicity 0.000 description 2
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920002943 EPDM rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005708 Sodium hypochlorite Substances 0.000 description 1
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfuric acid Chemical compound OS(O)(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005336 cracking Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 239000013536 elastomeric material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007717 exclusion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007667 floating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920002313 fluoropolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004811 fluoropolymer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013056 hazardous product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 1
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- SUKJFIGYRHOWBL-UHFFFAOYSA-N sodium hypochlorite Chemical compound [Na+].Cl[O-] SUKJFIGYRHOWBL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
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- 229920002994 synthetic fiber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920001221 xylan Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 150000004823 xylans Chemical class 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
- B65D90/02—Wall construction
- B65D90/028—Wall construction hollow-walled, e.g. double-walled with spacers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D7/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal
- B65D7/12—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by wall construction or by connections between walls
- B65D7/22—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by wall construction or by connections between walls with double walls, e.g. double end walls
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D88/00—Large containers
- B65D88/02—Large containers rigid
- B65D88/06—Large containers rigid cylindrical
- B65D88/08—Large containers rigid cylindrical with a vertical axis
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D88/00—Large containers
- B65D88/54—Large containers characterised by means facilitating filling or emptying
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
- B65D90/004—Contents retaining means
- B65D90/0066—Partition walls
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
- B65D90/48—Arrangements of indicating or measuring devices
- B65D90/50—Arrangements of indicating or measuring devices of leakage-indicating devices
- B65D90/501—Arrangements of indicating or measuring devices of leakage-indicating devices comprising hollow spaces within walls
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
- B67D7/06—Details or accessories
- B67D7/32—Arrangements of safety or warning devices; Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid
- B67D7/3209—Arrangements of safety or warning devices; Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid relating to spillage or leakage, e.g. spill containments, leak detection
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
- Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
Abstract
:
A dual walled tank is disclosed comprising an inner tank section having a closed top and
defining an interior space with an inner section mounting flange extending
circumferentially around the closed top. It includes an outer tank section having an open
5 top with an outer section mounting flange extending circumferentially around the open
top that is complementary to said inner section mounting flange. The inner tank section
is received within the outer tank section with an intermediate space formed
therebetween. The inner and outer section mounting flanges are operatively connected
to each other to mount the inner tank section to the outer tank section. The tank may
10 further comprise a tank outlet arrangement on the side wall of the inner and outer tank
sections for discharging liquid from the inner tank section.
Figure 2 for publication
19
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10 54
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16V
36
74
66 Figure 1
10 1
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166 74
67
16 18
40 50
50
Figure 2
Description
1/9
54 50
16V
36 74
66 Figure 1
10 1
12
166 74
67
16 18
40 50
50
Figure 2
This invention relates to a dual walled tank.
This invention relates particularly to a dual walled tank for carrying hazardous liquid chemicals, and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to this example application. However, at the same time, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is capable of broader application.
In this specification, the term 'comprising' is intended to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or integers, but not necessarily the exclusion of any other integer, depending on the context in which that term is used. This applies also to variants of that term such as 'comprise' or 'comprises'.
In some applications, a dual walled tank is required to facilitate containment of a hazardous liquid material. The hazardous material is received in, and contained by, an inner tank section or inner wall of the tank. If there is a breach of the inner tank section and liquid passes out of the inner tank section, it is retained by an outer or second tank section or second wall. Thus, the second tank section provides an additional liquid retaining barrier for resisting uncontrolled spillage or leakage of liquid from the inner tank section. This is referred to as internal bunding.
Applicant is aware that there are some dual walled tanks known in the prior art. However, these prior art dual walled tanks have limitations some of which are discussed below.
Some prior art dual walled tanks do not provide for a complete dual walled structure. They have some areas (or zones or seals) on or around the tank having only a single layer that do not provide for a double layer protection. This therefore creates a natural area of weakness in the tank because if leakage from the inner tank element occurs in a region of single layer protection, the leaking liquid will be uncontained and will leak out onto the surrounding area.
Another disadvantage of some dual walled tanks is that the discharge nozzles are fitted
Il only on the top or roof of the tank. With this arrangement, the liquid in the tank needs to be discharged through the roof of the tank, and this is inefficient and sub-optimal. These tanks do not have discharge nozzles on the side wall of the tank, and it is not possible to position discharge nozzles on the side wall.
Many of the prior art tanks of which the Applicant is aware are not able to be disassembled during their lifetime. Put simply, the way in which the inner and outer tank elements are attached to each other prevents this from occurring. However, to obtain access to the inner and outer tank sections for maintenance and repair, the inner and outer tank sections need to be detached and physically separated from each other. This is necessary to repair cracks in a wall or in a joint, e.g. by welding, or to repair nozzles and the like on the inner and outer tank sections.
Further, when the inner and outer tank sections are operatively attached to each other, they must be able to fully seal the tank sections to each other. This is to prevent harmful vapours from being emitted to the atmosphere by ensuring that the inner tank section and outer tank section are fully sealed to each other while still allowing liquid in the inner tank section to overflow into the outer tank section. However, many of the prior art tanks of which the Applicant is aware do not do this.
Any reference to prior art in the background above is not and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or in any other country.
Applicant recognizes that it would be beneficial if a dual walled tank could be devised that ameliorates at least to some extent the drawbacks of prior art tanks purporting to have dual walls discussed above.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a dual walled tank, comprising: an inner tank section having a closed top and defining an interior space with an inner section mounting flange extending circumferentially around the closed top; and an outer tank section having an open top with an outer section mounting flange extending circumferentially around the open top that is complementary to said inner section mounting flange, wherein the inner tank section is received within the outer tank section with an intermediate space formed between the inner and outer tank sections, and the inner and outer section mounting flanges being operatively connected to each other to mount the
1) inner tank section to the outer tank section.
This arrangement enables the dual walled tank to be fully disassembled for maintenance and inspection by disconnecting the inner and outer section mounting flanges from each other, and then lifting the inner tank section up through the open top of the outer tank section. This is advantageous because it facilitates full access to each of the inner and outer tank sections during the lifetime of the dual walled tank whereby to repair the inner and outer tank sections. This enables maintenance to be done on the tank during the working lifetime of the tank.
The mounting flanges on each of the inner and outer tank sections and their secure mounting to each other via the fasteners resist the inner tank section from lifting out of the outer tank section when the outer tank section fills with liquid due to the buoyancy of the liquid. The mounting flanges on each of the inner and outer tank sections and their secure mounting to each other via the fasteners resists this from occurring.
The inner and outer section mounting flanges may be operatively connected to each other by a plurality of fasteners positioned at intervals along the flanges, wherein the fasteners are passed through aligned fastener apertures in each of the inner and outer section mounting flanges.
The inner and outer section mounting flanges may be sealed to each other by a seal sandwiched therebetween.
The mounting flange of the outer tank section may define a seal groove and the seal may comprise an elastomeric O-ring seal or gasket seal that is received within the seal groove.
The fastening force applied by the fasteners extending through the respective inner and outer section mounting flanges may be sufficient to effectively seal the inner and outer tank sections to each other.
The inner tank section may comprise a base wall, a side wall extending up from the base wall and a top wall.
The base wall of the inner tank section may have a liquid outlet and be sloped or inclined at an angle to horizontal whereby to direct liquid towards the liquid outlet. This enables the tank to be drained completely and avoids a situation where a residual amount of liquid tends to remain in the tank.
The inner tank section may include a lifting arrangement on the top wall for lifting the inner tank section out of the outer tank section for separating the two tank sections from each other, and for lifting the entire tank up, e.g. for moving it around.
The lifting arrangement may comprise a plurality of lifting lugs on the top wall of the inner tank section spaced equiangularly apart from each other on the top wall.
In one embodiment, the plurality of lugs may comprise three lifting lugs arranged equiangularly on an external surface of the top wall. The lifting lugs may be rated to carry a specific load.
The outer tank section may comprise a base wall at an operatively lower end, and a side wall extending up from the base wall terminating in an operatively upper end adjacent the outer section mounting flange, and the outer tank section may have an open top.
The outer tank section may include a base mounting flange extending radially outward away from the base wall and extending at least part of the way around the circumference of the base wall.
Optionally, the base mounting flange may extend fully circumferentially around the base wall.
The dual walled tank may include a tank anchoring arrangement comprising one or more anchoring formations secured to a support surface on which the tank is standing, and each anchoring formation may extend over the base mounting flange and hold the flange down against the support surface.
The one or more anchoring formations may comprise anchor claws or anchor brackets spaced apart around the circumference of the base wall.
The dual walled tank may further include a tank outlet arrangement on the side wall of the inner and/or outer tank sections for drawing liquid from the inner tank section and discharging it from the tank.
Typically, the tank outlet arrangement may be on the side wall of both the inner and outer tank sections. The tank outlet arrangement may be positioned towards the operatively lower end of the outer tank section.
The tank outlet arrangement may comprise a conduit section that is mounted in fixed spaced relation to one of the inner and outer tank sections and that is displaceable
A relative to the other of the inner and outer tank sections.
That is, the conduit section is fixed relative to one of the inner and outer tank sections and is. slidably displaceable relative to the other tank section.
The conduit section may be mounted in fixed relation to the inner tank section that moves with the inner tank section, and the conduit section passes through the side wall of the outer tank section and is translationally displaceable relative to the side wall of the outer tank section.
The tank outlet arrangement may further comprise a seal for sealing the conduit section to the outer tank section, and the seal may be positioned between the side walls of the inner and outer tank sections.
The tank outlet arrangement in which the conduit section is able to slide relative to the outer tank section can accommodate differential expansion in the inner and outer tank sections. That is, the side walls of the inner and outer tank sections may be able to move relative to each other to accommodate differential expansion and contraction in the inner and outer tank sections. Differential expansion arises because the liquid within the inner tank section is typically at a temperature of about 23°C whereas the outer tank section may be at a temperature of 40 to 60°C, particularly if it is in the sun.
The conduit section may comprise two conduit elements that are detachably coupled together end to end, and the conduit elements may be detached when the inner and outer tank sections are to be disassembled for maintenance. By doing this, the conduit element on the inner tank section is positioned inward of the outer tank section thereby enabling the inner tank section to be lifted out of the outer tank section without interference therefrom.
The tank may include a leak indicator for indicating when liquid has leaked from the inner tank element into the intermediate space.
The leak indicator may comprise a sensor, e.g. an ultrasound sensor, arranged facing into the intermediate space between the inner and outer tank elements towards a bottom end of the side walls of the tank elements.
The tank may include a processor, e.g. a PLC, that is in operative communication with the sensor, and which operatively communicates any leak that is sensed to an operator of the tank.
The dual walled tank may further include a remote level indicator for indicating the level of liquid in the inner tank section. Further or instead, the tank may comprise a physical level indicator for indicating the level of liquid in the inner tank section.
The dual walled tank may further comprise a fill pipe having an inlet on the side wall of the outer tank section for coupling to a liquid supply pipe and an outlet emptying into the interior space of the inner tank section. The fill pipe may extend up the side wall and through the top of the inner tank section and then into the interior space of the inner tank section.
The dual walled tank may further comprise an overfill pipe for directing excess or overflow liquid received in the inner tank section out of the inner tank section and into the intermediate space so that it does not flow uncontrollably out of the tank.
The dual walled tank may further comprise an access platform mounted on the roof wall of the inner tank section for enabling workers to safely access the top wall of the inner tank section for carrying out filling and maintenance operations. The dual walled tank may further include ladder mounted on the inner or outer tank sections for enabling workers to climb onto the access platform.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a dual walled tank, comprising: an outer tank section having a side wall and an open top, an inner tank section having a side wall and a closed top, wherein the inner tank section is received within the outer tank section; and a tank outlet arrangement on the side wall of the inner and outer tank sections for discharging liquid from the inner tank section.
The tank outlet arrangement may be positioned towards an operatively lower end of the side wall of the outer tank section.
The tank outlet arrangement may comprise a conduit section that is mounted in fixed spaced relation to one of the inner and outer tank sections and is displaceable, e.g. slidably displaceable, relative to the other of the inner and outer tank sections.
The conduit section may be mounted in fixed relation to the inner tank section so that it moves with the inner tank section, and the conduit section passes through the side wall of the outer tank section and is translationally displaceable relative to the side wall of the outer tank section.
The tank outlet arrangement may further comprise a seal for sealing the conduit section to the outer tank section, and the seal may be positioned between the side walls of the inner and outer tank sections. This way, the seal is positioned inward of the side wall of the outer tank section and any leakage will enter the intermediate space between the inner and outer tank sections.
The tank outlet arrangement that enables the conduit section to slide relative to the outer tank section enables the dual walled tank to accommodate differential expansion in the inner and outer tank sections.
The conduit section may comprise two conduit elements that are detachably coupled together end to end and can be detached when the inner and outer tank sections are to be disassembled for maintenance.
This provides clearance between the conduit element on the inner tank section and the side wall of the outer tank section, to enable the inner tank section to be lifted out of the outer tank section without the outer tank section obstructing said conduit element.
The tank may include any one or more of the features, or combination of features, of the tank described in any other aspect of the invention.
The tank outlet arrangement may further include any one or more features, or combination of features, of any other aspect of the invention.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a dual walled tank, comprising: an outer tank section having a side wall and an open top, an inner tank section having a side wall and a closed top, wherein the inner tank section is received within the outer tank section; and a lifting arrangement for lifting the inner tank section out of the outer tank section.
The inner tank section may comprise a top wall and the lifting arrangement may comprise a plurality of lifting lugs on the top wall of the inner tank section. The lugs making up the plurality of lugs may be arranged equiangularly on the top wall.
The tank may include any one or more of the features, or combination of features, of the tank described in any other aspect of the invention.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a dual walled tank, comprising: an outer tank section having a side wall and an open top; an inner tank section having a side wall and a closed top, wherein the inner tank section is received within the outer tank section; and an access platform mounted on the inner tank section for enabling workers to safely access the top wall for carrying out filling and maintenance operations.
The tank may include any one or more of the features, or combination of features, of the tank described in any other aspect of the invention.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a dual walled tank, comprising: an inner tank section defining an interior space with an inner section mounting flange extending circumferentially around a top of the inner tank section; an outer tank section having an open top with an outer section mounting flange that is complementary to said inner section mounting flange extending circumferentially around its open top; wherein the inner tank section is received within the outer tank section with an intermediate space formed between the inner and outer tank sections, and the inner and outer section mounting flanges being operatively connected to each other to mount the inner tank section to the outer tank section.
The top of the inner tank section may comprise a closed top.
The tank may include any one or more of the features, or combination of features, of the tank described in any other aspect of the invention.
The invention extends to a plant installation including a dual walled tank as defined in any preceding aspect of the invention.
The tank may include any one or more of the features, or combination of features, of the tank described in any other aspect of the invention.
The tank may comprise a tank outlet arrangement and the tank outlet arrangement may further include any one or more features, or combination of features, of any other aspect of the invention.
A dual walled tank in accordance with this invention may manifest itself in a variety of forms. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe several embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The purpose of providing this detailed description is to instruct persons having an interest in the subject matter of the invention how to carry the invention into practical effect. However, it is to be clearly understood that the specific nature of this detailed description does not supersede the generality of the preceding broad description. In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dual walled tank in accordance with one embodiment of the invention and a close-up view of the base flange and an anchoring formation in the form of a claw for holding down an outer tank section thereof;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the dual walled tank of Figure 1 showing different components of the dual walled tank;
Figure 3 is a front view of the dual walled tank of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the dual walled tank of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is an upper perspective view of an inner tank section of the dual walled tank of Figure 1;
Figure 6 is a top plan view of the inner tank section shown in Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a front view of the inner tank section shown in Figure 5;
Figure 8 is an upper perspective view of a top wall of the inner tank section of Figure 5;
Figure 9 is an upper perspective view of an outer tank section for the dual walled tank of Figure 1;
Figure 10 is a front view of the outer tank section of Figure 9;
Figure 11 is an upper perspective view of a top of the outer tank section showing its circumferential mounting flange and an elastomeric seal;
Figure 12 is an upper perspective view of the tank outlet arrangement mounted on a side wall of the tank for discharging liquid from the tank;
Figure 13 is an upper perspective view from an opposing side of the tank outlet arrangement of Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a side view of the tank outlet arrangement of Figure 12;
a
Figure 15 is a schematic exploded side view of the tank outlet arrangement of Figure 12;
Figure 16 is a further exploded schematic exploded sectional view of the tank outlet arrangement (with parts omitted for clarity) and its mounting to the inner and outer tank sections;
Figure 17 is a perspective view of a dual walled tank in accordance with another embodiment of the invention having a roof access platform mounted on the top wall of the inner tank section; and
Figure 18 is a schematic side view showing the inner tank section being lifted by a crane.
Figures 1 to 11 illustrate a dual walled tank in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In Figures 1 to 11, the dual walled tank will be indicated generally by the reference numeral 10.
The tank 10 comprises an inner tank section 12 having a circumferentially extending inner section mounting flange 14, and an outer tank section 16 having a circumferentially extending outer section mounting flange 18 that is complementary to said mounting flange 14 on the inner tank section 12. The circumferentially extending inner and outer section mounting flanges 14 and 18 are operatively connected to each other to mount and seal the inner tank section 12 to the outer tank section 16.
The structure of the inner and outer tank sections 12 and 16 will now be described in more detail below.
The inner tank section 12 comprises a cylindrical side wall 20, and a base wall 22 extending across a lower end of the cylindrical side wall 20. It also includes +a top wall 24 extending across an upper end of the cylindrical side wall 20. The mounting flange 14 extends circumferentially around the top wall 24 and the mounting flange 14 has a plurality of fastening element openings formed therein around the circumference of the top wall 24. The inner tank section 12 also includes a base flange 26 extending circumferentially around the base wall 22 radially outward therefrom.
Further, the base wall 22 of the inner section 12 may be configured to enable liquid to be fully drained from the inner tank section 12. While such a base wall 22 is not shown in the drawings, the base wall 22 may be configured to direct last bits of liquid remaining in the inner tank section 12 towards an outlet through which liquid is withdrawn from the
in inner tank section 12.
The top wall 24 has a centrally positioned access hole or manhole 27 formed thereon that can be removed to provide access to an interior of the inner tank section 12, e.g. for maintenance and the like. The top wall 24 also has a plurality of lifting lugs 28 formed thereon that can be used to attach the inner tank section 12 to a crane for lifting the inner tank section 12 up and out of the outer tank section 16. In the illustrated embodiment, three rated lifting lugs 28 are spaced equiangularly around the top wall 24. Conveniently, the base wall 22, side wall 20 and top wall 24 and the associated flanges 14 and 26 are all welded together to form the inner tank section 12 and the inner tank section may be formed of a synthetic chemical material, e.g. a polymeric material.
The outer tank section 16, in turn, comprises a cylindrical side wall 30 and a base wall 32 closing off one end of the side wall. The side wall 30 extends up from the base wall 32 to an upper end where it forms an open top 34. The mounting flange 18 of the outer tank section 16 described above extends circumferentially around the upper end of the side wall 30 and is sized to match the mounting flange 14 on the inner tank section 12. The mounting flange 18 also has fastener apertures formed therein for receiving fasteners therein for mounting the inner tank section 12 to the outer tank section 16. Further, the mounting flange 18 has a groove formed therein for receiving an elastomeric seal for sealing the mounting flanges of the inner and outer tank sections 12 and 16 to each other. The outer tank section 16 also includes a base mounting flange 36 extending circumferentially around the base wall 32 for mounting the outer tank section 16 to a support surface. As with the inner tank section 12, the base wall 32 and side wall 34, and their associated flanges 18 and 36, are welded to each other to form a single integrally formed unit, which may be formed of a synthetic chemical material, e.g. the same material as the inner tank section 12.
As is clearly shown in the drawings, the inner tank section 12 is sized to be received within a circumference of the outer tank section 16 with some clearance, and the mounting flanges 14 and 18 of respectively the inner and outer tank sections 12 and 16, are configured to vertically align with each other.
The tank 10 includes a tank outlet arrangement 40 on the side wall 30 of the outer tank section 16. The tank outlet arrangement 40 comprises an outlet conduit 42 that extends from a conduit inlet in the inner tank section 12 to a conduit outlet that is outside the outer tank section 16. The outlet conduit 42 is effectively fast with the side wall 20 of the inner tank section 12 but can slide relative to the side wall 30 of the outer tank section 16. This
-I I enables the tank outlet arrangement 40 to accommodate differential expansion and contraction in the tank sections 12 and 16 without cracking. Further, the outlet arrangement 40 is assembled of a plurality of components such that the outlet arrangement 40 can be disassembled and removed from the inner and outer tank sections 12 and 16 when they are separated from each other for maintenance or the like. The various components of the tank outlet arrangement 40 are shown in Figures 12 to 15.
The tank 10 further includes a hold down arrangement for holding the outer tank section 16 down on a support surface in extreme weather events and the like. The hold down arrangement comprises hold down brackets 50, e.g. in the form of claws, that are anchored to a support surface on which the tank is mounted and extend over the base flange 36 to clamp the outer tank section 16 and thereby the entire tank 10 to the support surface.
The tank 10 further includes a fill pipe 54 extending up the side wall 30 of the tank section 16 towards an upper end thereof. The fill pipe 54 then passes through the top wall 24 of the tank section 12 into the interior space of the section 12. The fill pipe 54 may also include an isolation valve and a drain valve with drip tray.
The tank 10 also includes a leak detector for detecting any leakage of liquid from the inner tank section 12 into the outer tank section 16. The leak detector comprises an ultrasound sensor 56 on the tank section 16 that is positioned to sense any liquid in the intervening space between the inner and outer tank sections 12 and 16. The sensor 56 is typically positioned in a lower region of the outer tank section 16 to identify a leak at an early stage.
The tank 10 also includes a remote level sensor 62 on the inner tank section 12 for sensing the level of liquid in the inner tank section 12. The remote level sensor 62 includes an ultrasound sensor that is mounted on the top wall 24 of the inner tank section 12 and faces down at the liquid within the inner tank section 12.
The tank 10 further includes a processor 66 mounted on the outside of the outer tank section 16 that is operatively coupled to each of the sensors 56 and 62 above. The processor 66 processes the sensed information and displays it to an operator of the tank 10, e.g. by means of an interface on the side wall of the outer tank section 16. It can also be programmed to generate an alarm.
The illustrated embodiment also includes a mechanical level indicator 70 for indicating
11) the level of liquid in the tank 10. The mechanical level indicator 70 comprises a surface element (not shown) that sits on the surface of the liquid and an indicator extension 74 that extends out of the inner tank section 12. The position of the indicator extension element 74 on the side wall 30 on the outside of the tank 10 provides a measure of the level of liquid within the tank 10.
The tank 10 also includes an overfill arrangement (not shown) which operates to direct excess liquid into the intermediate space between the inner and outer tank sections 12 and 16 when the inner tank section 12 is overfilled. The overfill arrangement comprises a pipe section 75 having one end opening into the inner tank section 12 towards the top wall thereof and another end opening into the intermediate space between the tank sections 12 and 16.
The tank 10 also includes two vents 76 extending up from the top wall 24 of the inner tank section 12. These vents 76 can open out to the atmosphere. However, if the liquid within the tank 10 generates fuming gases, these vents 76 will be connected to external pipes to contain the fuming gases and avoid them being released into the atmosphere.
Figure 17 of the drawings illustrates a tank 10 having a working platform 80 on the top wall 24 of the inner tank section 12. The working platform 80 comprises a support surface and a safety rail 82 extending circumferentially around the support surface. The platform also has a ladder 84 extending up the side wall 30 of the tank 10. This working platform 80 provides workers with safe access to the top wall 24 of the inner tank section 12. This enables them to remove the manhole cover 27, and to perform maintenance on various components located at or near the top wall of the inner tank section 12.
The inner and outer tank sections 12 and 16 are made of a suitably corrosion resistant non-metallic material, e.g. a synthetic material. The exact material chosen depends on the liquid to be held within the tank. The fasteners may be made of stainless steel and optionally may be coated with a non-metallic material, e.g. a fluoropolymer top coating such as XYLAN. The seals are made of an elastomeric material, e.g. an EPDM.
In use, the dual walled tank 10 can be used for storing and dispensing corrosive chemicals. Some examples of chemicals that can be stored in the tank 10 are hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite at various concentrations. The tank 10 is initially assembled by placing the seal on the mounting flange 18 of the outer tank section 16, and then placing the inner tank section 12 within the outer tank section 16, with the mounting flange 14 of the inner section 12 resting on the flange 18 of the outer section 16.
The fasteners are passed through the aligned apertures around the circumferences of the respective mounting flanges 14 and 18 to fasten the tank sections 12 and 16 to each other. The outer tank section 16 is then fastened or secured or anchored to the support surface by means of the clamping brackets 50 around the base flange 26 of the outer tank section 16. The tank outlet arrangement 40 can then be installed and assembled on the tank sections 12 and 16.
Once assembled the tank 10 can be filled with a liquid which is displaced by the fill pipe 54 into the inner tank section 12. The liquid can then be dispensed from the tank through the tank outlet arrangement 40 as and when required for use. To do this, an external pipe (not shown) is coupled to the tank outlet arrangement 40 and liquid from the tank can be discharged into the external pipe.
If the tank is overfilled, or a breach of the inner tank section 12 occurs, then the leak indicator 46 will detect the leak and the operator will be notified by the processor and remedial action can be taken immediately. When maintenance is required to be carried out or the tank 10 is to be repurposed, the dual walled tank 10 can be completely emptied of liquid and then disassembled.
An advantage of the dual walled tank described above with reference to the drawings is that it can be completely disassembled and opened for carrying out maintenance. To do this, inner tank section can be detached from the outer tank section, and then lifted out of the inner tank section using a hoist.
Another advantage of the secure attachment of the inner tank section to the outer tank section is that it prevents the inner tank section from floating out of, and moving upward relative to, the outer tank section when the space between the inner and outer tank sections fills with liquid.
Yet another advantage of the dual walled tank described above with reference to the drawings is that it has lifting lugs on the top wall of the inner wall section. These lugs enable the inner tank section to be lifted and they also enable the entire tank to be lifted when the inner and outer tank sections are operatively connected to each other.
Another advantage of the dual walled tank described above with reference to the drawings is that any leak from the inner tank section into the outer tank section will be detected by the leak detector and immediately notified to the operator.
Yet another advantage of the dual walled tank described above with reference to the
IA drawings is that the structure of the tank outlet arrangement permits differential expansion of the inner and outer tank sections relative to each other. The tank outlet arrangement is fixed relative to the inner tank section but can slide relative to the outer tank section. This is an important feature as the applicant is aware of instances in the prior art where some components have cracked because of differential expansion. Further, the seal can be placed between the inner tank section and the outer tank section which seals the respective tank sections to each other. This resists harmful vapours from being emitted from the outer tank section into the atmosphere while still allowing the inner tank section to overflow into the outer tank section.
Yet another advantage of the dual walled tank described above with reference to the drawings is that it provides for a full dual containment structure. There are no points on the structure that provide for only a single layer of containment.
It will of course be realized that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as is herein set forth.
Claims (23)
1. A dual walled tank, comprising: an inner tank section having a closed top and defining an interior space with an inner section mounting flange extending circumferentially around the closed top; an outer tank section having an open top with an outer section mounting flange extending circumferentially around the open top that is complementary to said inner section mounting flange; wherein the inner tank section is received within the outer tank section with an intermediate space formed between the inner and outer tank sections, and the inner and outer section mounting flanges are operatively connected to each other to mount the inner tank section to the outer tank section.
2. A dual walled tank according to claim 1, wherein the inner and outer mounting flanges are operatively connected to each other by a plurality of fasteners positioned at intervals along the flanges, that are passed through aligned fastener apertures in each of the inner and outer section mounting flanges.
3. A dual walled tank according to claim 1 or claim 2, including a seal sandwiched between the inner and outer mounting flanges for sealing them to each other.
4. A dual walled tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inner tank section comprises a base wall, a side wall extending up from the base wall and a top wall.
5. A dual walled tank according to claim 4, wherein the inner tank section includes a lifting arrangement on the top wall for lifting the inner tank section out of the outer tank section for separating the two tank sections from each other, and for lifting the entire tank up.
6. A dual walled tank according to claim 5, wherein the lifting arrangement comprises a plurality of lifting lugs on the top wall of the inner tank section spaced equiangularly apart from each other on the top wall.
7. A dual walled tank according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the outer tank section comprises a base wall at an operatively lower end, and a side wall extending up from the base wall terminating in an operatively upper end adjacent the outer section mounting flange and forming an open top.
8. A dual walled tank according to claim 7, wherein the outer tank section includes a base mounting flange extending radially outward away from the base wall and extending at least part of the way around the circumference of the base wall.
9. A dual walled tank according to claim 8, including a tank anchoring arrangement comprising one or more anchoring formations secured to a support surface on which the tank is standing, wherein each anchoring formation extends across the base mounting flange and holds the flange down against the support surface.
10. A dual walled tank according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further including a tank outlet arrangement on the side wall of the inner and/or outer tank sections for drawing liquid from the inner tank section and discharging it from the tank.
11. A dual walled tank according to claim 10, wherein the tank outlet arrangement comprises a conduit section that is mounted in fixed relation to one of the inner and outer tank sections, and that is displaceable relative to the other of the inner and outer tank sections.
12. A dual walled tank according to claim 11, wherein the conduit section is fixed relative to the inner tank section and moves with the inner tank section, and the conduit section passes through the side wall of the outer tank section and is translationally displaceable relative to the side wall of the outer tank section.
13. A dual walled tank according to claim 12, wherein the tank outlet arrangement further comprises a seal for sealing the conduit section to the outer tank section, and the seal is positioned between the side walls of the inner and outer tank sections.
14. A dual walled tank according to any one of claims 1 to 13, including a leak indicator for indicating when liquid has leaked from the inner tank element into the intermediate space.
15. A dual walled tank according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a fill pipe having an inlet on the side wall of the outer tank section for coupling to a liquid supply pipe and an outlet emptying into the interior space of the inner tank section.
16. A dual walled tank according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising an overfill pipe for directing excess or overflow liquid received in the inner tank section out of the inner tank section and into the intermediate space.
17. A dual walled tank according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising an access platform mounted on the roof wall of the inner tank section for enabling workers to safely access the top wall of the inner tank section to carry out filling and maintenance operations, and a ladder for enabling workers to climb onto the access platform.
18. A dual walled tank, comprising: an outer tank section having a side wall and an open top, an inner tank section having a side wall and a closed top, wherein the inner tank section is received within the outer tank section; and a tank outlet arrangement on the side wall of the inner and outer tank sections for discharging liquid from the inner tank section.
19. A dual walled tank according to claim 18, wherein the tank outlet arrangement is positioned towards an operatively lower end of the side wall of the outer tank section.
20. A dual walled tank according to claim 19, wherein the tank outlet arrangement comprises a conduit section that is mounted in fixed relation to one of the inner and outer tank sections, and that is displaceable relative to the other of the inner and outer tank sections.
21. A dual walled tank according to claim 20, wherein the conduit section is fixed relative to the inner tank section so that it moves with the inner tank section, and the conduit section passes through the side wall of the outer tank section and is translationally displaceable relative to the side wall of the outer tank section.
22. A dual walled tank according to claim 21, wherein the tank outlet arrangement further comprises a seal for sealing the conduit section to the outer tank section, and the seal is positioned between the side walls of the inner and outer tank sections.
23. A dual walled tank according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the conduit section comprises two conduit elements that are detachably coupled together end to end and can be detached when the inner and outer tank sections are to be disassembled for maintenance.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2022900989 | 2022-04-13 | ||
| AU2022900989A AU2022900989A0 (en) | 2022-04-13 | A dual walled tank |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2023202279A1 true AU2023202279A1 (en) | 2023-11-02 |
Family
ID=88558934
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2023202279A Pending AU2023202279A1 (en) | 2022-04-13 | 2023-04-13 | A dual walled tank |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2023202279A1 (en) |
-
2023
- 2023-04-13 AU AU2023202279A patent/AU2023202279A1/en active Pending
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