EP3802367A1

EP3802367A1 - Flexible tank with baffles

Info

Publication number: EP3802367A1
Application number: EP19731327.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrew Lang
Original assignee: Trans Ocean Bulk Logistics Ltd
Current assignee: Trans Ocean Bulk Logistics Ltd
Priority date: 2018-05-31
Filing date: 2019-05-31
Publication date: 2021-04-14
Also published as: CN111712446A; GB2574240A; WO2019229477A1; GB201808935D0

Abstract

A flexible tank for transporting fluids in a transportation container is described. The flexible tank defines a volume within which a fluid can be held and comprises at least one baffle, where the baffle comprises at least one aperture and extends across said volume to substantially divide said flexible tank into two or more subsections. The baffles act to dampen potentially hazardous surge waves that can propagate within the held fluid during transportation.

Description

Flexible Tank with Baffles

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a flexible tank for transporting fluids, and more particularly to a flexible tank comprising a plurality of baffles.

Background to the Invention

The use of a tank with flexible components, often known as a‘flexitank’, to transport fluids in a transportation container is well established. Tanks of this kind may be used with a wide range of transportation containers including, but not limited to, intermodal, ISO, cargo, freight, rail or shipping containers. In these transportation scenarios, the volume of fluid transported within any tank may be varied depending on the volume of fluid to be transported. Most commonly, these tanks are filled with a volume of fluid such that the flexible tank fills the majority of the interior of the transportation container within which they are contained, to ensure cost and space effective transportation.

Frequently, tanks of this kind include a flexible inner liner within a protective outer liner. The provision of a protective outer liner is optional, but often preferred to reduce the overall risk of tearing and/or puncturing the tank. The inner liner is most commonly constructed from a flexible polymer-based material that can be either single or multi ply and may be impermeable to the fluid being transported. The outer liner is designed to confer extra tensile strength and tear resistance to the tank. This type of tank usually has at least one aperture, with its associated bulkhead assembly and inlet/outlet valve, for charging and discharging the tank with fluid.

The tank may be any desired shape, but it is commonly elongated to fit and partially fill the interior of a transportation container. For example, the tank may be substantially cuboid shaped. The sides of the tank may comprise individual separate pieces of plastic attached together along the edges or fewer separate pieces, for example, all four walls may be constructed from a single continuous piece of plastic looped around and attached along a single edge. The edges and separate pieces of plastic are attached to one another with fluid and air-tight seams. Additionally, the walls may be omitted completely and the tank constructed from only the upper and base surfaces, i.e., two rectangular, domed layers joined together at their edges to form a tank that resembles a pillow. Tanks with flexible components are often preferred over rigid tanks, as they are more readily disposable and recyclable, and as such do not require cleaning or sterilisation after use. This makes tanks of this type an attractive prospect for transporting goods where contamination should be avoided, such as for wine, water and fruit juices. Additionally, placing these tanks inside transportation containers protects them from weathering and other factors increasing their working lifespan and reducing costs.

However, whilst the use of tanks with flexible components has many benefits, there are some challenges with the technology in its current form. Tanks of this nature, and their encasing transportation containers, have been known to be damaged and fail during transit from surge waves. Surge waves are propagated within the stored fluid by forces which are to be expected during transit, such as sudden or aggressive acceleration or braking. For example, a rail- shunt or a container being unloaded from a shipping container. The force of surge waves can then cause the tank container to fail, potentially spilling the contents of the tank or damaging the container itself. Additionally, the propagation of waves and surge waves within these tanks can also cause the centre of mass of the container to shift constantly, destabilising the tank and container. The destabilisation of the tank poses a safety risk to the transporter, other transit users and potentially the environment during transit or during loading and unloading.

Objects and aspects of the present claimed invention seek to alleviate at least these problems of the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexible tank for transporting fluids in a transportation container, said flexible tank defining a volume within which a fluid can be held, said flexible tank comprising a plurality of baffles, wherein said baffles extend across said volume to substantially divide said flexible tank into three or more subsections, each of said baffles attached to said flexible tank to provide an opening, the perimeter of said opening being defined by an edge of said baffle and an interior surface of said flexible tank, where, in use, said openings substantially align to form a channel that extends along an axis of the flexible tank.

In this way, there is provided a flexible tank with an improved ability to withstand and dampen the forces and disruptive effects of waves and surge waves within the held fluid, without preventing adequate mixing of the fluid contained within the flexible tank. Additionally, the presence of a channel which extends along an axis of the flexible tank assists in preventing stress concentrations where the baffles are attached to the interior surface of the flexible tank. A flexible tank in this form is advantageous as it allows the flexible tank and its parent transportation container to be transported as railway, cargo or road freight with increased safety. The safety is improved as the flexible tank has a decreased chance of failing, spilling its load or damaging the transportation container due to propagated waves or surge waves. Additionally, the transportation container is less likely to be destabilised by propagated waves moving the centre of mass of the flexible tank and container, which can be troublesome to the transporter, the surroundings and the environment during transportation.

Preferably the flexible tank comprises an inner liner. Preferably, the inner liner is single-ply. Preferably, the inner liner is multi-ply. Preferably, the inner liner is fabricated from a flexible polymer. Preferably, the inner liner is fabricated from multiple separate sheets of polymer. Preferably, the separate polymer sheets are joined together by fluid-tight seams. Preferably, the inner liner is impermeable to the fluid being transported. Preferably, the inner liner is fabricated from polyethylene (polyethene). Preferably, the tank is single layered. Preferably, the single layer is the inner liner. More preferably, the tank is double layered. Preferably, the two layers of the double layered flexible tank is an inner liner and an out liner. Preferably, the flexible tank comprises a protective outer liner. It is advantageous for the outer liner to be more resistant to puncturing and tearing than said inner liner. Preferably, the outer liner completely envelopes the inner liner and protects it from being in contact with the inside of the transportation container or wider environment. Preferably, the outer liner has a larger internal volume than the inner liner. Preferably, the shape of the outer liner is complementary to the inner liner. Preferably, the outer layer is fabricated from woven polypropylene WPP.

Preferably, the inner and/or outer liners of tank are formed from two substantially rectangular sheets attached together along all four of their respective edges. In an alternative embodiment the flexible tank is formed from substantially cylindrical tubes of polyethylene and/or woven polypropylene that are sealed at both ends of the cylindrical tube to form a tank.

Preferably, the flexible tank has at least one aperture for filling or discharging the flexible tank. Preferably, the or each aperture for loading and discharging the tank has an associated inlet/outlet valve. Preferably, the flexible tank and transportation container have a bulkhead assembly. Preferably, the bulkhead assembly is located between the flexible tank and the doors of the transportation container. Preferably, the flexible tank is dimensioned to fit within a transportation container when filled with fluid. Preferably, the flexible tank fits inside a standard ISO shipping container. Preferably, the flexible tank fits inside a standard ISO shipping container that is 6.06 m or 12.2 m (20 foot or 40 foot, respectively) in length. Preferably, the flexible tank when loaded to maximum capacity fits inside a 6.06 m or 12.2 m long ISO shipping container. Preferably, the flexible tank does not touch either or both of the front doors and the back wall of the 40 foot ISO shipping container when fully loaded. Preferably, the flexible tank comprises straps for securing it inside of the transportation container.

It may be preferable that the baffle is located in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis of the flexible tank. Preferably, the baffle is located in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longest axis of the flexible tank. Preferably, the baffle is located perpendicular to the most common direction of transportation. Preferably, the baffle comprises a flexible material. Preferably, the baffle comprises a polymer. Preferably, the baffle comprises a polymer membrane. Preferably, the flexible tank and the baffle comprise the same material. Preferably, the baffle comprises polyethylene.

Preferably, the baffle is substantially rectangular in shape. Preferably, the baffle has two substantially straight edges and two inwardly curved edges. Preferably, the substantially straight edges run parallel with respect to one another. Preferably, the inwardly curved edges have a substantially straight mid-sections which run parallel with respect to one another. Preferably, the straight mid-sections are no more than 50% or the inwardly curved length. Preferably, the inwardly curved edges and the straight edges meet at the four corners of the baffle and have an acute internal angle. Preferably the internal angle is less than 45°. Preferably the internal angle is less than 30°. Preferably the internal angle is less than 15°.

Preferably, a baffle is located at the midpoint of an axis of the flexible tank. Preferably, each baffle of the plurality of baffles lies in and defines a plane, where the planes are substantially parallel to one another. Preferably, the baffles in the plurality of baffles are evenly spaced along an axis of the flexible tank.

Preferably, the perimeter of the or each opening is partially defined by a curved edge of the baffle. Preferably, the opening extends substantially across the entire height of the flexible tank. Preferably, the or each opening has an area directly adjacent to the base surface, or floor, of the flexible tank. Preferably, the or each baffle is connected to the flexible tank so as to form a plurality of openings.

Preferably, the channel defines a volume, or space, in which fluids can flow uninterrupted between the subsections of the flexible tank. Preferably, the channel extends along the longitudinal axis of the flexible tank. Preferably, the channel extends half of the longitudinal axis of the flexible tank without interruption. Preferably, the channel extends 75% of the longitudinal axis of the flexible tank without interruption. Preferably, the channel extends the entire length of the longitudinal axis of the flexible tank without interruption.

Preferably, the flexible tank has a plurality of channels. Preferably, the first and second channels of the plurality of channels are located on opposing sides of the flexible tank. Preferably, the channels cumulative cross-section is no larger than 50% of the cross-section of the flexible tank. Preferably, the channels cumulative cross-section is not larger than 40% of the cross-section of the flexible tank. Preferably, the channels cumulative cross-section is not larger than 30% of the cross-section of the flexible tank.

Preferably, the baffle has an aperture. Preferably, the aperture is circular. Preferably, the aperture is 10 mm to 500 mm in size. Preferably, the aperture is 50 to 350 mm in size. Preferably, the aperture is 100 to 250 mm in size.

Preferably, the baffle comprises a plurality of apertures. Preferably, each of the apertures in the plurality of apertures is of equal size. Preferably, at least a proportion of the apertures in the plurality of apertures are distributed across a portion of the baffle in a straight line. Preferably, at least a proportion of the apertures in the plurality of apertures are equally spaced across a portion of the baffle.

Preferably, the baffle comprises four apertures. More preferably, the baffle comprises eight apertures. Most preferably, the baffle comprises nine apertures. Preferably, the apertures are arranged in rows and columns to form a square grid. Preferably, the apertures are arranged in a diamond grid. Preferably, the apertures are arranged in three rows and three columns. Preferably, the apertures are arranged such that the baffle has a twofold axis of rotational symmetry and two planes of symmetry.

Preferably, the baffle is permanently attached to the flexible tank. Preferably, the baffle is attached to the flexible tank by a weld. Preferably, the weld is fluid-tight. Preferably, the weld is generally rectangular. Preferably, the weld is made from an independent welding member that is welded to both the baffle and the inner liner. Preferably, each weld consists of two subwelds that are located on different sides of the baffle edge, but are welded adjacent to the same edge. Preferably, each weld consists of a single sub-weld located on a single side of the baffle edge. Preferably, the baffle is welded to the inner liner in two distinct locations. Preferably, the baffle is welded to the inner liner on opposing sides of the interior surface of the inner liner. Preferably, only two of the baffles four sides are welded to the inner liner. Preferably, the whole length of the baffle’s straight edges are attached to the inner liner by the weld. Preferably, the weld exists on both sides of the straight edge of the baffle. Preferably, the baffle is attached to the flexible tank by a plurality of welds. Preferably, the weld and baffle extend across approximately 75-100% of the width of the flexible tank. Preferably, the weld and baffle extend across approximately 85-97% of the width of the flexible tank. Preferably, the weld and baffle extend across approximately 90-95% of the width of the flexible tank. Preferably, the weld is formed by a hot plastic welding process. Preferably, the baffle has a height greater than the height of the flexible tank. Preferably, the baffle has a height approximately 15 % greater than the flexible tank. Preferably, when the flexible tank is full the baffle is not tight.

Preferably, the weld and the baffle are comprised of the same material. Preferably, the weld and the flexible tank comprise the same material. Preferably, the weld, the flexible tank and the baffle comprise the same material. Preferably, the material is a polymer. Preferably, the polymer is flexible and impermeable. Preferably, the polymer is polyethylene.

Preferably, the baffle extends substantially across the internal volume of the inner liner and flexible tank to divide the internal volume into two or more subsections. Preferably, the subsections are substantially equal in size and shape.

Preferably, a face of said baffle is substantially perpendicular to said channel and said face comprises a curved surface.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a flexible tank within a transportation container in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic isometric view of a baffle and weld in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic, top-down view of an embodiment of a flexible tank with six baffles in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a flexible tank with baffles in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 5 is an overhead perspective view of a second embodiment of a flexible tank with baffles inside a transportation container in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is depicted a fluid filled flexible tank 10 which comprises a baffle in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The flexible tank 10 is located within a transportation container 20 and is a generally elongate cuboid shape with generally domed surfaces that partially fills the internal volume of the transportation container 20.

The flexible tank 10 comprises an inner liner, or layer, 30 which encompasses the internal volume of the flexible tank 10. The shape and size of the flexible tank 10 and its internal volume varies with the volume of the held fluid. The inner liner 30 is fabricated from polyethylene, is multi ply and is impermeable to the fluid being transported, although a single ply inner liner and fabricating the inner liner from other suitable polymers are both envisaged. The inner liner 30 comprises separate polymer sheets attached permanently together by fluid- tight seals. The flexible tank is filled and discharged with fluids through a specially made opening in the inner liner 30 and its accompanying inlet/outlet valve 50. The inlet/outlet valve 50 passes through the bulkhead assembly 60 and is proximate to the door 70 of a transportation container 20. The bulkhead assembly 60 comprises generally planar backing panel 80, strengthening member supports 90, that extend across the length and width of the bulkhead assembly 60, and an opening, which enables the attachment of the inlet/outlet valve 50 to the flexible tank 10.

The inner liner 30 is completely enveloped by a protective outer liner. The shape and size of the outer liner is larger and complementary to that of the inner liner 30. The outer liner comprises a number of flexible plastic sheets attached permanently together. The protective outer layer is fabricated from a suitable polymer, such as WPP. The suitable polymer should increase the forces required to tear, puncture or destroy the outer liner, inner liner 30 and flexible tank 10. The outer liner may be multi ply.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, there is depicted a baffle 1 10 of a flexible tank 10 for use in a transportation container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The baffle 1 10 can also be accurately described as a membrane or a membrane baffle. The baffle 1 10 is a polymer membrane or barrier with specific apertures 120 and openings 130 to allow the movement and mixing of fluids within a flexible tank 10, whilst simultaneously the baffle 1 10 should impede the propagation of waves and in particular surge waves during transportation. The waves and surge waves have the potential to be hazardous. The openings 130 may be thought of as cut-outs of a rectangular baffle, and are formed when the baffle 1 10 is attached to the inner liner 30, as is detailed below.

The baffle 1 10 is a four-sided shape which is similar to a rectangle, except two edges are generally straight 140 and two edges are generally inwardly curved 150 towards the centre- point of the baffle 110. The inwardly curved sides 150 comprise mid-sections 160 which are substantially straight and substantially perpendicular the generally straight edges 140. Each straight mid-section 160 comprises approximately less than 30 % of the length of the inwardly curved edge 150. The straight edges 140 are located on opposite edges of the four-sided shape (rectangle). Moreover, the curved edges 150 are also located on opposite edges of the four-sided shape. As such, the straight 140 and curved edges do not meet a similarly described edge at a corner 170. The straight edges 140 are located and orientated such that they are substantially parallel with respect to one another. Additionally, the straight midsection of the inwardly curved edges 170 are orientated and located such that they are substantially parallel with respect to one another.

The internal angle of the baffle 1 10 at the four corners 170 is acute and is approximately less than 10°. From the corners 170 the inwardly curved edges 150 curve inwardly in a general arc of a circle, forming approximately one quarter of the circumference of the circle, where the circumference is approximately 33% of the straight-line distance between the corners 170. The inwardly curved edges 150 have midsections 160 which are in generally straight and connect the two inwardly curved circle arcs from their corners to form a complete edge.

The baffle 1 10 comprises nine apertures 120 of equal size and shape. The apertures 120 are substantially circular and approximately 150 mm in diameter, although other sizes and shapes of the apertures 120 have been envisaged. The apertures 120 are arranged in three sets of rows 180,190, where each row 180,190 comprises three apertures 120 and where the direction of a row is defined as running parallel to the straight edges 140 of the baffle 1 10. In each individual row 180,190 the centre of each aperture 120 is generally aligned in a straight line, where the line is orientated substantially parallel to the straight edges 140. Thus, the apertures are orientated substantially parallel with respect to one another. The middle row of the three rows 180 is located on the approximate midline of the distance between the straight edges 140, whereas the two outside rows 190 are approximately positioned at 25% and 75% of the distance between the straight edges 140, respectively. The middle aperture of each row 180,190 is approximately located on the midline between the straight midsections 160, to form a column of central apertures 200 aligned in a straight line. The outer apertures of each row form two outer columns 210. The middle aperture of the columns 210 is offset from the other two aligned apertures in the column 210 towards the centre of the baffle 110. The three apertures in each outer column 210 sit at the corners of a generally isosceles triangle. The apertures are arranged within the baffle 1 10 to have a twofold axis of rotational symmetry and two planes of symmetry.

The baffle 1 10 is permanently attached by a fluid-tight weld 220 to the interior surface of inner liner 30. The weld 220 is generally rectangular and extends across the whole length of its associated straight edge 140. The weld 220 is located on both sides of the straight edge 140. Either side of the weld 220 is fabricated from generally rectangular plastic sheet, where the longest edge of the rectangle is approximately the same length as the baffle’s straight edges 140. Each side of the weld 220 is welded by polymer heat welding to the interior surface of the flexible tank and then to the baffle 1 10, thus each weld 220 consists of two individual and distinct sub-welds which attach the baffle 1 10 and flexible tank 10 permanently.

The inner liner 30, baffle 1 10 and weld 220 comprise the same polymer, namely polyethylene, and are permanently attached by a polymer heat weld. Alternative methods of attaching polymers to one another, such as adhesive, solvent, hot gas, contact, high frequency, induction, spin, laser, extrusion welding could all be envisaged, as well as using different polymers for the inner liner 30, baffle 110 and weld 220 either individually or as a set.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, there is depicted a schematic, top-down view of an embodiment of the flexible tank 10 with a series of six baffles 1 10, which divides the internal volume of the flexible tank 10 into seven approximately similar sized subsections. As described in relation to Figure 2, the baffle 1 10 is attached to the interior surface of the inner liner 30 of the flexible tank 10 by two welds 220 that run along its straight edges 140. The welds 220 are located on the upper and lower surfaces of the interior of the flexible tank. In this embodiment of the invention six baffles are welded to the interior surface of the flexible tank 10 to create seven subsections 230. The baffles 1 10 are orientated so that they, their straight edges 140 and their welds 220 are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 260 of flexible tank 10, thus the welded the baffles 110 are substantially parallel with respect to one another. The baffle is also substantially parallel with respect to the end wall of the flexible tank 10. If each baffle defines a plane then each plane is substantially parallel with respect to any other plane. The width of each baffle 1 10 and weld 220 is approximately 90- 95% of the width of the flexible tank. The baffles 1 10 are evenly spaced along the longitudinal axis 260 of the flexible tank 10, thereby subdividing the internal volume of the flexible tank 10 into seven subsections 230 which have generally equal volumes and shapes. The baffles 1 10 are designed to have a height greater than the height of flexible tank 10 when fluid filled. For example, in this embodiment the tank is 1 .2 m in height when full, whereas the baffle 1 10 is 1 .4 m in height (when straightened out and fully extended). In use, the extra height of the baffle 1 10 causes the baffle to not be taut.

The baffle 1 10 extends substantially across a dimension, in this case the width, of the flexible tank 10, this forms an area 240 between the baffle’s inwardly curved edges 150 and the inner liner 30, which may be defined as an opening 240, space or aperture. The openings 240 extend from the lower surface to the upper surface of the flexible tank, and therefore extend across the entire height of the flexible tank 10 and its attached baffles 110. In other words, the openings extend from the base, or floor, to the upper surface, or ceiling, of the flexible tank. Thus, the opening thus allows the mixing of fluids to occur between the different subsections 230 independent of how much fluid the flexible tank contains. As such, the openings 140 are designed to prevent the baffles 1 10 from trapping residual fluid inside subsections during loading or discharging.

Additionally, the openings substantially align, when in use or fully loaded, creating two continuous channels 250 that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flexible tank and along opposing sides of the flexible tanks interior volume 40. The channels 250 extend the whole length of the flexible tank without interruption. The channels 250 are located along the side walls of the flexible tank 10. All the openings 240 in a channel 250 are substantially similar in size, shape and orientation. The openings 240 centre point and edges substantially align in a straight line and the direction of the channel is substantially perpendicular to the plane occupied by the baffle 110. The channels 250 define a space, or volume, in which fluids can flow unimpeded between the different subsections 230 of the flexible tank 10. The cross- sectional area of the channels 250 is the same as the area of its associated openings 140, and the cross-sectional area of a channel 250 is defined as the area between the inwardly curved edges of the baffle 150 and the interior of the inner liner 30. The channels are located predominantly such that they extend predominantly along the sides, walls of side walls of the flexible tank 10, i.e. not along the base or upper surface of the flexible tank.

Referring to Figure 4, there is depicted a fluid filled flexible tank 300 which comprises baffles in accordance with an additional embodiment of the present invention. The flexible tank is shown without a transportation container. This embodiment of the flexible tank with baffles 300 is designed to fit inside a 40-foot ISO storage container, as depicted in Figure 5.

The flexible tank 300 is generally elongate cuboid shape with generally domed surfaces. The linings and the materials used in the fabrication of the flexible tank 300 is the same as that used in the first embodiment. The flexible tank 300 is formed from two similarly sized substantially rectangular sheets attached along all four of their edges. The sheets can be attached by a weld as detailed previously and reinforced with stitching. The tank comprises both inner and outer liners as described for the previous embodiment. This embodiment of the flexible tank with baffles 300 contains six baffles in total. The baffles are similarly shaped and designed as described previously for the first embodiment.

As can be seen in Figure 5, the flexible tank 300 does not fill the entire floorspace of the 40- foot ISO storage container 330 within which it is housed. In other words, the flexible tank 300 does not touch the front doors of the storage container and may not touch the back wall of the storage container. As such, the flexible tank 300 does not use a bulkhead assembly. Fluid is added and removed from the flexible tank via a inlet/outlet valve 310. The flexible tank 300 can be secured to the inside of the transportation using straps 320. The straps 320 are joined at one end to the flexible 300 tank and the other is joined to the interior wall of the transportation container 330. The straps 320 provide a fastening mechanism that prevents the flexible tank 300 from sliding within the transportation container 330.

In an additional embodiment of the invention the flexible tank is formed from substantially cylindrical tubes of polyethylene and/or woven polypropylene that are sealed at both ends of the cylindrical tube to form a tank. The seals are welds reinforced with stitching as indicated previously.

Claims

1 . A flexible tank for transporting fluids in a transportation container, said flexible tank defining a volume within which a fluid can be held,

said flexible tank comprising a plurality of baffles, wherein

said baffles extend across said volume to substantially divide said flexible tank into three or more subsections,

each of said baffles attached to said flexible tank to provide an opening,

the perimeter of said opening being defined by an edge of said baffle and an interior surface of said flexible tank,

where, in use, said openings substantially align to form a channel that extends along an axis of the flexible tank.

2. The flexible tank of claim 1 , wherein each baffle of the plurality of baffles lies in and defines a plane, and said planes are substantially parallel to one another.

3. The flexible tank of claim 1 and 2, wherein each baffle of said plurality of baffles is located in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axis of said flexible tank.

4. The flexible tank of claim 3, wherein each baffle of said plurality of baffles is located in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said flexible tank.

5. The flexible tank of any preceding claim, wherein said channel extends along an axis of said flexible tank.

6. The flexible tank of claim 5, wherein said channel extends along the longitudinal axis of said flexible tank.

7. The flexible tank of claim 6, wherein said openings extend across the entire height of said baffle.

8. The flexible tank of any preceding claim, wherein said flexible tank comprises a plurality of channels, each channel within said plurality of channels being defined by a different subset of openings.

9. The flexible tank of claim 8, wherein a first channel of said plurality of channels and a second channel of said plurality of channels extend along opposing interior surfaces of said flexible tank,

10. The flexible tank of any one preceding claim, wherein the baffle comprises a plurality of apertures.

1 1 . The flexible tank of claim 10, wherein each of the apertures in said plurality of apertures is equal in size.

12. The flexible tank of claim 10 or claim 11 , wherein the apertures of said plurality of apertures are distributed across a portion of said baffle in a straight line.

13. The flexible tank of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the apertures of said plurality of apertures are equally spaced across a portion of said baffle.

14. The flexible tank of any preceding claim, wherein said baffle is permanently attached to said flexible tank.

15. The flexible tank of any preceding claim, wherein said baffle and said flexible tank are fabricated from the same material.

16. The flexible tank of any one preceding claim, wherein a face of said baffle is substantially perpendicular to said channel and said face comprises a curved surface.