GB2320049A - Portable spillage containment vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

The vessel has a base (1) connected to a membrane (2). A tank can be placed on the base by means of a fork-lift truck. Afterwards a wall (3), in two sections, is erected around the periphery of the membrane, which in turn sits on inwardly-directed feet at the bottom of the wall sections. The edge of the membrane is held in place by a absorbent sock (6), located under a further (upper) lip extending in from the side wall. The wall sections are clamped together, with interposed seals (5).

Description

Background Increasing environmental legislation means that industry aces ever rising costs and penalties if it fails to comply.

Chemical spillage is one area which seems worthy of consideration, notably spillages from transportable tanks.

Some factories may have several transportable tanks distributed about the site and as such pose a potential leakage hazard.

One solution is to reate bunded area around the tank, however once the ounc as been built its location is fixed ann cannot be moved. In addition the cost of building bunds around several tanks could be prohibitive. This approach does not allow or changing site storage conditions ann does not make the jest use of stcrage facilities. A more flexible approach to the problem would be a portable spillage containment vessel which could be easily erected around a transportable tank by the forklift driver moving the transportable tank. Problem chemicals could be easily segregaled whils making Setter use available site space.

The cost or manufacturing this containment vessel would be a traction of the cost of a brick built bund.

Assembly Skotch 1 shows the base and membrane which are laid on he loor In preparation tor the transportable tank which is deposited c the base by the fcrklift truck driver. The next stage is the erection and clamping together of the side wall halves around the tank.

Sketch 2 shows an assembled spillage containment vessel comprising: the base (1) which is split and bolted together to sandwich the sealing membrane (2). The vessel wall (3) is constructed in two halves which are reinforced for rigidity and held together by toggle clamps (4). The sealing of the side wall is achieved by a rubber seal which is reinforced with metal to ensure continuity of rigidity of the structure (sketch 3) (sketch 2/items).

The internal base area is sealed by the membrane (2) which overlaps the inner lip on the base of the side wall (sketch 2). An absorbent sock (6) or similar type seal is pushed in under the lip o the inside of the side wall to hold the membrane in place and complete the seal.

To prevent any movement cf the vessel walls during a large spillage, anchor restraints cr ties are inserted between the tank wall f the vessel and the base (sketch 4).

Claims (6)

1. CLAIMS Portable fluid containment vessel which can oe erected on any reasonably flat surface to contain chemical spillage from a transportable tank or similar container.
2. 2) Modular construction to enable assembly/disassembly by one man wit no special tools.
3. 3) Sealing arrangement n the vertical walls ensures a watertight seal and rigidity of the structure to withstand hydraulic loading.
4. 4) Suitable for both minor and major spillages by virtue or the vertical seal on the walls, absorbent sock and membrane at the base.
5. 5) Provides temporary/extended segregated storage of chemicals in any area of the plant.
6. 6) The vertical sealing arrangement allows differing peripheral shapes to be constructed to suit chemical containers.