GB2301086A

GB2301086A - Storage system with inflatable containing frame

Info

Publication number: GB2301086A
Application number: GB9510336A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Thomas John Jefferis; Margaret Angela Davidson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-05-23
Filing date: 1995-05-23
Publication date: 1996-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2015-05-23
Also published as: GB2301086B; GB9510336D0

Abstract

A system for the storage of fluid materials such as sewage or water comprises a storage vessel 2, which is preferable flexible, and an inflatable containing frame 2. The frame preferably comprises a base sheet folded in at the edges and heat sealed to define cylindrical inflatable walls. The frame extends under and at least partially up the sides of the storage vessel. The storage vessel has at least one inlet/outlet 10 and may have vents 11 for gas release. Stays 13 may be attached to brace the system in use. The storage system may be folded down for easy transport.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO STORAGE OF FLUID MATERIALS This invention concerns improvements in and relating to storage of fluid materials, including fluid/solid mixtures, and in particular, but not exclusively, materials such as sewage.

Temporary storage facilities for fluid materials are required in a vast number of different applications. Presently such storage tends to be by means of rigid metal or fibreglass tanks conveyed to and temporarily located at the site where they are required. Once they have finished their useful life at the location they are moved on.

Such tanks face a number of disadvantages which restrict their use or, in a number of applications, make them impracticable.

Firstly by their nature rigid tanks are difficult to transport and the location may only be accessible to tanks of limited capacity, for instance narrow country lanes, off-road applications etc. Where capacity is limited due to the size, operations involving the tank are slowed or multiple tanks required at increased cost.

Additionally such rigid tanks require some, at least basic, preparatory work to the site to provide a reasonably level surface for stability purposes.

Such work is costly and in certain sensitive areas can be environmentally unacceptable.

Furthermore, conventional tanks are prone to leaks in the event of any damage which again is environmentally unacceptable or, at the very least, wasteful. Any attempt to provide a further layer of containment significantly increases weight, cost and difficulty of construction, transport and assembly.

The present invention aims to provide a safe, low cost storage capacity, which is readily transportable and compact, yet provides large capacity with minimum site preparatory work.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a storage system comprising a storage vessel provided with an inlet and/or outlet and a containing frame for the storage vessel, the containing frame being inflatable.

In this way a compact system is provided which is easily transportable before and after use but which is sturdy and practicable in use.

Preferably the storage vessel is flexible in nature. Most preferably the storage vessel is capable of being rolled or folded up. This ensures an extremely compact system which can easily be transported to or from the most inaccessible regions. Furthermore much larger capacity facilities can be provided for a given maximum access size as the volume is only present upon assembly.

Storage systems may be provided in which the volume occupied by the storage vessel and containing frame when transported ready for erection compared with its storage capacity is between 1 : 10 and 1 : 3. Most preferably between 1 : 10 and 1 : 4.

Low transport costs and high storage capacities are thus provided.

In a preferred embodiment the containing frame provides a containment vessel extending completely under and at least partially up the sides of the storage vessel. A safety bundling is thus provided.

This ensnares backup containment for the storage vessel in the event of a leak and provides an additional layer of protection around and under the storage vessel where damage is most likely.

Preferably the containing frame consists of walls of cylindrical section as these offer firm support.

Preferably the containing frame is formed from a single sheet for ease of manufacture. Most preferably the walls are formed by folding the sheet inwards to define the space to be inflated. This ensures that the seams are not exposed. Heat sealing is a preferred joining technique for generating the inflatable spaces.

The containing frame and/or storage vessel may be provided with bracing or restraining means to aid in supporting the system and fix its location.

Thus the system can be employed with minimum site preparation even on a sloping site.

The storage vessel may be provided with one or more inlets and one or more outlets to facilitate access for more than one user.

The storage vessel can be made of PVC coated nylon with suitable bacterial and UV protection, if desired.

The containing frame can be made of PES, polypropylene of other plastics, again a PVC coat may be applied.

Inflation of the unit can be effected by a compressor or compressed gas cylinder for easy erection, or even with a liquid.

Air vents can be incorporated in the storage vessel to facilitate emergency and/or controlled release of any gas build-up.

Tank sizes of 1000 gallons plus can be provided, such as 5000 plus, 7000, 12/1500 and even 30,000 gallons, if required.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a storage vessel for use with an inflatable containing frame. The storage vessel or inflatable containing frame may have any of the features provided in the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention we provide an inflatable containing frame for use with a storage vessel. The inflatable containing frame or storage vessel may have any of the features provided in the first aspect of the invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention we provide a method of constructing a storage facility comprising providing a flexible containing frame and a storage vessel and inflating the containing frame to support and/or retain the storage vessel during its filling and subsequent use.

An easily transportable, safe, flexible capacity economic form of temporary storage is thus provided.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the containing frame; Figure 2 shows the combination of the containing frame and storage vessel; Figure 3 shows a section through a portion of the containing frame and storage vessel assembly.

The storage system illustrated provides a containing frame 1 and storage vessel 2. The containing frame consists of a sheet 3 rolled over inwardly, Figure 3, to define a space 4 into which the compressed gas is introduced during inflation, through valves 5 to give structural walls 6. The rolled sheet 3 is heat-sealed to itself at seam 7 to provide an airtight seal.

The storage vessel is made of nylon with a PVC coating and wall thickness 4/1000 inch whilst the containing frame is made of PES with a material weight of 1200 g/m2.

The containing frame 1 is thus defined by four walls 6 and the bottom formed from sheet 3. The corners between the walls 6 are formed by heat welding the end of the tube/wall together, in the form of a crimp, and performing a similar process on the ends of the adjoining wall. The flat crimp portion of each can then be brought together and heat welded firmly by means of straps passed over and around those portions. The joint produced is strong and contributes to the structural integrity of the frame as a whole. A rectilinear frame has been found to be stronger than a circular frame in this regard.

The storage vessel 2 itself can be introduced into the frame 1 either before or after inflation.

The flexible nature of the storage vessel 2 gives it a bladder like behaviour expanding to the volume of substance introduced.

Introduction to or withdrawal from the storage vessel 2 is effected by means of inlets and outlets 10. The inlets are commonly 6" in diameter, whilst 4" diameter outlets are employed. These can be provided with closures or simply rely on their higher elevation to restrain the contents of the vessel 2.

Vents 11 provided on the top surface of the vessel 2 allow excess gas to escape.

The double layer protection under the storage vessel 2 formed from its base 12 and the sheet 3 provide very good resistance to puncturing.

Stays 13 can be attached to the containing frame 1 as required to brace and fix the position of the system in use. These may be attached midway along the walls or at the thicker portion of the corners.

During transportation the system folds or rolls down to a very compact size allowing it to easily be transported in a small trailer for instance.

The system is suitable for temporary storage of sewage, water, spillages during mop-up operations and a wide variety of other liquid or solid/liquid mixtures.

For a 12/15000 gallon vessel, wall 4, heights of 3 feet are envisaged.

A 12/15,000 gallon tank is formed by a containing frame of length 36ft, width 36ft and height 3ft, when erected, with a storage vessel which remains within and below those walls.

Claims

CLAIMS:-

1. A storage system comprising a storage vessel provided with an inlet and optionally an outlet and a containing frame for the storage vessel, the containing frame being inflatable.

2. A storage system according to claim 1 wherein the storage vessel is flexible and comprises a base and side walls and is dimensioned such that in use the side walls contact the sides of the containing frame.

3. A storage system according to claim 1 wherein the storage vessel is flexible and is an enclosed vessel and is dimensioned such that in use it contacts the sides of the containing frame.

4. A storage system according to claim 1 wherein the storage vessel is capable of being rolled or folded up.

5. A storage system according to any preceding claim wherein the volume occupied by the storage vessel and containing frame when transported ready for erection compared with its storage capacity is between 1:10 and 1:3.

6. A storage system according to any preceding claim wherein the containing frame provides a containment vessel extending completely under and at least partially up the sides of the storage vessel.

7. A storage system according to any preceding claim wherein the walls of the containing frame are of cylindrical section.

8. A storage system according to claim 7 wherein the containing frame comprises a single sheet of flexible material and the walls are formed by folding the edge portions of the sheet inwardly to define the space to be inflated and sealing the edge portions to the sheet.

9. A storage system according to claim 8 wherein the sheet is a thermoplastic material and the edges are sealed to the sheet by heating to generate the inflatable spaces.

10. A storage system according to any preceding claim wherein the containing frame and/or the storage vessel are provided with bracing or restraining means.

11. A storage system of any preceding claim wherein the containing frame and the storage vessel are made of a plastics material coated with PVC.

12. A storage system of claim 11 wherein the plastics material is nylon with suitable bacterial and UV protection.

13. A storage system according to claim 11 wherein the plastics material is polypropylene.

14. A storage system according to claim 11 wherein the plastics material is PES.

15. A storage system according to any preceding claim wherein the containing frame is inflated by a compressor.

16. A storage system according to any of claims 1-14 wherein the containing frame is inflated by a compressed gas cylinder.

17. A storage system according to any of claims 1-14 wherein the containing frame is inflated by use of a liquid.

18. A storage system according to claim 3 wherein the storage vessel is provided with one or more air vents.

19. A storage system according to any preceding claim wherein the capacity of the storage vessel is up to 30,000 gallons.

20. A storage vessel for use with an inflatable containing frame.

21. A storage vessel according to claim 20 wherein the storage vessel is provided with an inlet and optionally an outlet, bracing or restraining means and is made of a plastics material coated with PVC and has the features of claims 2-4, 18 and 19.

22. An inflatable containing frame for use with a storage vessel.

23. An inflatable containing frame according to claim 22 wherein the inflatable containing frame is provided with bracing or restraining means and is made of a plastics material coated with PVC and has the features of claims 6-9 and 15-17.

24. A method of providing a storage facility comprising providing a flexible containing frame and a storage vessel and inflating the containing frame to support and/or retain the storage vessel.

25. A storage system as herein described in claims 1-19 and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

26. A storage vessel as herein described in claims 20 and 21 and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

27. A containing frame as herein described in claims 22 and 23 and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

28. A method of providing a storage facility as herein described in claim 24.