WO2020049594A1

WO2020049594A1 - An improved storage tank

Info

Publication number: WO2020049594A1
Application number: PCT/IN2019/050643
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anand Prahladbhai PANCHAL
Original assignee: Panchal Anand Prahladbhai
Priority date: 2018-09-06
Filing date: 2019-09-06
Publication date: 2020-03-12
Also published as: EA202090157A1

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved storage tank. More particularly, the present invention provides an improved storage tank that controls the temperature inside the storage tank over the ambient temperature, providing significant insulation from outer weather condition. The present invention comprises of an outer container (1), an inner container (2), PU foam (3) and a lid cover (4). The present invention minimizes the effect of outside temperature inside the storage tank; thereby making it significantly weather resistant for a longer period of time.

Description

AN IMPROVED STORAGE TANK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates to an improved storage tank. The present invention provides a storage tank that controls the temperature inside the storage tank over the ambient temperature, providing significant insulation from outer weather conditions and minimizes the effect of outside temperature inside the storage tank; thereby making it significantly weather resistant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

It becomes essential to store fluids such as water for daily use. At times industrially ice needs to be stored for daily use. At times, these fluids are to be transported. For these all, plastic containers such as tank are used widely to store and transport these fluids. Similar situation arises in case of milk. Since last few decades, plastic storage tank has widely replaced metal/ concrete tank. Plastic storage tanks have many advantages such as they are light weight and easy to use. Simultaneously also has disadvantages. Major disadvantage is that the stored fluids and ice is affected greatly by the ambient temperature i.e. water get hot in summer and cold in winter. Thus, it becomes too difficult to use the stored essential fluids in extreme weather conditions.

Various efforts have been made to deal with this problem. First one is to use insulation. There are numerous plastic tanks are available which are in use today. Amongst them, in some plastic tanks are have one or more layers. However, these tanks still have problem of getting affected by ambient or outside temperature. So the control over temperature inside the water tank has not been achieved so far. Due to higher ambient temperature than the water temperature within the tank, there is rise in water temperature within the tank. There is a direct effect of the temperature affected water on the user experience. Additionally, evaporation takes place which results in loss of water into atmosphere. With the wide use of said tanks, the cumulative water loss is massive and the same must be obviated.

In regions having extreme cold conditions, storage of fluid is a cumbersome task. Fluid tends to solidify beyond its freezing point. Water being a very essential fluid for all living beings is a daily requirement, turns into ice when very cold. This frozen water essentially needs to be heated for daily purposes. Heating equipment required to melt this ice is energy consuming, and costly.

In hot weather conditions fluids like water tend to evaporate very fast. Loss of these fluids due to evaporation incurs a huge loss to industries in summers.

The Polyethylene Foam is used for insulation by several devices. Products are available in which Polyethylene Foam Is placed in between the two surfaces of the tank walls. However, the purpose of controlling the ambient temperature through such devices has not been achieved. Here, the main reason is its limitation of expansion in Polyethylene Foam.

The other one is the use of insulated jacket over the water tank. However, the insulated jackets are comparatively expensive than the Polyethylene Foam and are not efficient. With the same, the above mentioned problems are not resolved completely.

Ice boxes are used to keep various things below the ambient temperature. However, ice boxes are not efficient to keep things at a controlled temperature for a longer period of time. It gets effected by the outer ambient temperature very quickly.

PRIOR ART AND ITS DISADVANTAGES:

There are various patents pertaining the present invention. The closest ones are listed below:

Japanese Patent JP2016017649A discloses Hot water storage tank unit in which Hot water storage tank unit capable of preventing positional deviation due to floating of a hot water storage tank. A hot water storage tank unit includes: a hot water storage tank 2; an outer box 3 A housing the hot water storage tank 2; an inner leg 4 fixed to the outer box 3 A and fixed to the hot water storage tank 2 on one end side of the hot water storage tank 2; and support members 40, 41 , 42, 43, 44 fixed to the outer box 3A and supporting the hot water storage tank 2 on the other end side of the hot water storage tank 2. When foaming is performed by laying down the outer box 3 A and injecting an undiluted solution 6a of a foamed heat insulation material 6 between the outer box 3 A and the hot water storage tank 2, the support members 40, 41 , 42, 43, 44 regulate positional deviation due to foaming of the hot water storage tank 2.

Another Japanese application JP2015172470A discloses Hot water storage tank unit and manufacturing method of same that provides To provide a hot water storage tank unit exhibiting high heat insulation performance and low in cost, and a manufacturing method of the same. SOLUTION: A hot water storage tank unit 1 according to the present invention comprises: a hot water storage tank 2 storing therein heated hot water; an outer case 3 accommodating therein the hot water storage tank 2; and a foam insulation material 6 filled between the hot water storage tank 2 and the outer case 3 and formed to be foamed, the outer case 3 being formed to include a top plate 3d, a bottom plate 3e, and side plates 3b, 3a, and 3c disposed laterally, a central portion of at least any of the top plate 3d, the bottom plate 3e, and the side plates 3b, 3a, and 3c being formed convex outward, and an outer surface of the outer case 3 having a light blocking effect against sunlight.

Another Chinese application CN 201420347602 discloses The utility model provides a vertical water storage type electromagnetic water heater. The electromagnetic water heater comprises an outer shell, a water tank and an electromagnetic heating unit, wherein the water tank and the electromagnetic heating unit are located in the outer shell, the outer surface of the water tank is wrapped by a heat insulating layer, the electromagnetic heating unit is located below the water tank, an air inlet and an air outlet are formed in the positions, corresponding to the electromagnetic heating unit, at the bottom of the outer shell, a cold air cavity is formed between the electromagnetic heating unit and the air inlet, a hot air cavity is formed between the electromagnetic heating unit and the air outlet, and the cold air cavity and the hot air cavity are respectively communicated with the interior of the electromagnetic heating unit, and isolated through a cold and hot air partition plate. By the adoption of the unique heat dissipating air channel design, the good ventilation effect is achieved, and it is avoided that outside water and steam are brought in to affect the working performance and the insulating performance of the electromagnetic heating unit.

However, the prior art fails to obviate the existing problems and have disadvantages . DISADVANTAGES OF THE PRIOR ART:

The prior art suffers from at least all or any of the following disadvantages :

• Most of the prior arts fail to provide storage tank which provide efficient control of temperature within the tank over the ambient temperature for longer period of time.

• Most of the prior arts fail to provide a storage tank which can eliminate loss of water due to evaporation of water in summer which is around 10% of storage volume and hence are not environment friendly.

• Most of the prior arts fail to provide storage tank which is efficient providing significant insulation from outer weather conditions.

• Most of the prior art fail to provide a storage tank that efficiently resists the outer ambient temperature.

• Most of the prior arts are not industrially scalable as well as in domestic uses.

• Many of the prior arts are energy consuming as it requires extra heating equipments in case of cold weather conditions.

• Most of them are non-economical.

Therefore, there is unmet need of an improved storage tank that controls of the temperature inside the storage tank over the ambient temperature, providing significant insulation from outer weather conditions and minimizes the effect of outside temperature inside the storage tank; thereby making it significantly weather resistant. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved storage tank.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved storage tank which provides efficient control of water temperature within the tank over the ambient temperature for longer period of time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved storage tank which eliminates water loss due to evaporation and hence is environment friendly in hot weather.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved storage tank which provides efficient insulation of the fluid or ice inside the tank from the outer temperature.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved storage tank which is efficiently weather resistant.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved storage tank that is industrially as well as domestically useful.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved storage tank which is energy efficient as it eliminates the use of heaters in cold weather.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved storage tank which provides which is economical. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 : Shows the perspective view of the improved storage tank

Fig.2 : Shows the cross-sectional perspective view of the improved storage tank

Fig. 3 : Shows the front cross-sectional view of improved storage tank

Fig. 4a : Shows the cross-sectional view of the lid cover

Fig. 4b : Shows the side view of the lid cover

Fig. 4c : Shows the cross-sectional front view of the lid cover

Fig. 5 : Shows the perspective view of another embodiment of the improved storage tank

Fig. 6a : Shows the cross-sectional perspective view of another embodiment of the improved storage tank Fig. 6b : Shows the front cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the improved storage tank

Meaning of Reference numerals of said component parts of improved storage tank:

100 : An Improved Storage tank

1 : Outer container

2 : Inner Container

3 : Polyurethane Foam (PU)

4 : Lid cover

5 : Air vent

6 : Pipe connection 7 : Outer Container bottom

8 : Outer Container top

9 : Bolting

10 : Threads

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

With extensive research, the applicant has come out with a path breaking technology which is a simple, economical and significantly efficient product for the storage of essential fluids and ice taking into account the key features like:

a. Controlling the temperature inside the storage tank over the outside ambient temperature.

b. Minimal effect of the outside temperature on the storage tank; thereby maintains the state of fluid for a significantly longer time. c. Provides significant insulation from the outer temperature; thereby making it significantly weather resistant.

In particular the present invention provides an improved storage tank for storage of fluids and ice. Fluids in particular such as water, milk, chemicals in industries and alike are stored in the present improved storage tank.

Referring to Fig. 1, 2 and 3, the present invention an improved storage tank ( 100) comprises of:

• Outer Container (1),

• Inner container (2),

• PU (Polyurethane) Foam (3)

• Lid cover (4), • Air vent (5),

• Pipe connection (6), and

• Threads ( 10)

Wherein, Said outer container ( 1) makes the outer body of the improved storage tank ( 100); wherein the outer container (1) remains in direct contact with the outer environment. The inner container (2) is placed inside the outer container (1) .

Between the outer container ( 1) and the inner container (2), polyurethane foam (3) is placed; wherein polyurethane is of the thickness is in the range of 80 to 90 mm. Polyurethane foam (3) when used between this provided range the storage tank ( 100) achieves the most efficient results in terms of insulation of the fluid filled inside the tank. Due to this specific dimension of the storage tank; it controls of the temperature inside the tank over the ambient temperature, providing significant insulation from outer weather conditions and minimizes the effect of outside temperature inside the storage tank; thereby making it significantly weather resistant.

After the polyurethane foam (3) is placed between the outer container (1) and the inner container (2); wherein said polyurethane foam (3) is secured between the layers of the outer container ( 1) and the inner container (2) as shown in Fig 2 and Fig. 3.

The inner container (2), and the outer container ( 1) is made from LLDPE, LDPE, PE or any other such plastic material. The outer container ( 1) and the inner container (2) LLDPE or other plastic material has thickness in the range of 3 to 4 mm; wherein the improved storage tank is preferably rotationally moulded. A lid cover (4) is used to close the improved storage tank ( 100) from the top as shown in Fig. 1. An Air vent (5) is provided in the lid cover (4) for breathing and proper air circulation, to avoid any bad smell in the filled fluid/ water and also overcome to create any vacuum/ internal pressure.

Referring to Fig. 4a, 4b, 4c, wherein Fig. 4a shows the cross-sectional perspective view of the lid cover (4) . The lid cover (4) also has PU (Polyurethane) Foam (3) inside to provide insulation as shown in Fig. 4a. The lid cover (4) is provided separately to cover the top of the improved storage tank (100). Referring to Fig 4c which shows the cross- sectional front view of the lid cover (4), threads ( 10) are provided on the bottom of the lid cover (4) to fix the lid cover (4) on the top of the improved storage tank (100).

A pipe connection (6) is provided at the bottom of the improved storage tank ( 100) for the drainage of fluid as required. This is shown in Fig. 2 and Fig, 3.

Another embodiment of the present invention, Referring to Fig. 5, 6a, and 6b, the present invention an improved storage tank ( 100) comprises of:

• Outer Container (1),

• Inner container (2),

• PU (Polyurethane) Foam (3)

• Lid cover (4),

• Air vent (5),

• Pipe connection (6), and

• Threads ( 10)

Wherein, Said outer container ( 1), makes the outer body of the improved storage tank (100); wherein the outer container ( 1) remains in direct contact with the outer environment. Said outer container (1) comprises of:

• Outer Container bottom (7),

• Outer Container top (8),

• Bolting (9), and

Wherein the outer container ( 1) is divided into two parts namely: Outer Container bottom (7), and the Outer Container top (8) . The inner container (2) is placed inside the outer container bottom (7).

Between the outer container bottom (7) and the inner container (2), polyurethane foam (3) is placed; wherein polyurethane is of the thickness is in the range of 80 to 90 mm. Polyurethane foam (3) when used between this provided range the improved storage tank ( 100) achieves the most efficient results in terms of insulation of the fluid filled inside the tank. Due to this specific dimension of the storage tank; it controls of the temperature inside the tank over the ambient temperature, providing significant insulation from outer weather conditions and minimizes the effect of outside temperature inside the storage tank; thereby making it significantly weather resistant.

After the polyurethane foam (3) is placed between the outer container bottom (7) and the inner container (2), the outer container top (8) is connected with said outer container bottom (7) through bolting (9). Covering with the outer container top (8) secures the polyurethane foam (3) in between the layers of the outer container ( 1) and the inner container (2) as shown in Fig 6a and Fig. 6b. The inner container (2), the outer container bottom (7) and outer container top (2) is made from LLDPE, LDPE, PE or any other such plastic material.

The present improved storage tank (100) has minute change in the inside temperature due to the ambient temperature outside. It maintains the temperature inside the improved storage tank (100) upto 24 hours the improved storage tank ( 100) has 98-99% efficiency.

Thus, the present improved storage tank eliminates freezing of water inside the tank for a significant period of time; thereby eliminates the need of heaters to heat up the fluid or ice inside the storage tank. The improved storage tank eliminates evaporation of fluid in summers. Thus, saves energy consumption; providing an energy efficient, an environment friendly solution and an economical solution. This storage tank can be use in domestic as well as industrial purposes.

The advantages of the improved storage tank ( 100) can be well observed in the examples herein below:

EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1

To determine the conversion of ice into water after 24 hours; for ice stored in the improved storage tank; A improved storage tank with capacity of 1000 litres made up of outer container and inner container of LLDPE of 3.5mm; insulation of polyurethane of 85mm thickness is sandwiched between the outer container and the inner container. Wherein this 1000 litre improved storage tank is filled with 365 kg of ice inside the tank the outer ambient temperature was 36.5°C while filing the tank and 30.0° while recording the conversion the next day. The Conversion of ice into water was recorded after 24 hours; the recorded data is as in the below table 1

Table 1

Table 1 shows that using the present improved storage tank only 6.45 % of the ice converted into water in 24 hours where the ambient temperature was around 36.5°C.

EXAMPLE 2

To determine the variation in water temperature (after stirring ) after 24 hours when the improved storage tank is kept in open air condition and water filled inside is at low temperature than the ambient temperature. A improved storage tank with capacity of 1000 litres made up of outer container and inner container of LLDPE of 3.5mm; insulation of polyurethane of 85mm thickness is sandwiched between the outer container and the inner container is taken. Temperature of water filled inside the improved storage tank is 7.5°C. the ambient temperature at the time of filing water was 23. 1°C. The ambient temperature at the time of taking reading was 27.2°C. The variation in the water temperature after 24 hours was recorded; wherein water was sufficiently stirred before recording the temperature the recorded data is in table 2 below:

Table 2

Table 2 shows that the inside temperature of cold water changed very minutely by 0.4°C after 24 hours when low temperature water was filed in the improved storage tank; thus it shows that the outside ambient temperature did not effect the inner water temperature in the tank.

EXAMPLE 3

To determine the variation in water temperature (after stirring) after 24 hours when the improved storage tank is kept in open air condition and water filled inside is at higher temperature than the ambient temperature;A improved storage tank with capacity of 1000 litres made up of outer container and inner container of LLDPE of 3.5mm; insulation of polyurethane of 85mm thickness is sandwiched between the outer container and the inner container is taken. Temperature of water filled inside the improved storage tank is 40°C. the ambient temperature at the time of filing water was 30.1°C. The ambient temperature at the time of taking reading was 31. 1°C. The variation in the water temperature after 24 hours was recorded; wherein water was sufficiently stirred before recording the temperature the recorded data is in table 3 below:

Table 3 Table 3 shows that the inside temperature of hot water changed very minutely by 0.5°C after 24 hours when higher temperature water was filed in the improved storage tank; thus it shows that the outside ambient temperature did not affect the inner water temperature in the tank.

EXAMPLE 4

To determine the variation in water temperature (after stirring) after 24 hours when the insulated container is kept in cold surrounding condition and water is at normal temperature; storage tank of external size 530mm x 530mm x 460mm and internal size of 385mm x 385 mm x 375 mm is taken. The tank is made from 65.5mm polyurethane is sandwiched between 4mm thick LLDPE outside container and 3mm thick LLDPE inside container. The improved storage tank is filed with water at temperature 28.5°C and the tank is kept in cold atmospheric condition of - 15°C. the change in temperature was recoded after 24 hours; the recorded temperature is given in the table below:

Table 4

Table 4 shows that when the improved storage tank is kept in extreme cold environment, still water remain in the form of water after 24 hours.

Advantages of present invention the present invention provides an improved storage tank for storage of fluids and ice. Fluids in particular such as water, milk, chemicals in industries and alike. The present invention provides a storage tank that controls of the temperature inside the storage tank over the ambient temperature.

The present invention provides significant insulation from outer weather conditions and minimizes the effect of outside temperature inside the storage tank; thereby making it significantly weather resistant.

The present invention eliminates water loss due to evaporation and hence is environment friendly in hot weather.

The present efficiently insulates the fluid or ice inside the tank from the outer temperature for 24 hours; thereby the present invention is efficiently and significantly weather resistant.

The present invention is industrially as well as domestically useful.

The present invention is energy efficient as it eliminates the use of heating equipment in cold weather to heat water.

The present invention is economical solution providing significantly efficient temperature resistance with 98-99% efficiency in terms of temperature control.

Claims

Claims:

1. An improved storage tank (100) that is simple, economical and efficient and provides temperature control from outer ambient temperature upto 24 hours and is 98-99% efficiently temperature resistant;

Wherein,

the improved storage tank comprises of:

• Outer Container (1),

• Inner container (2),

• PU (Polyurethane) Foam (3)

• Lid cover (4),

• Air vent (5),

• Pipe connection (6), and

• Threads ( 10)

Wherein,

Said outer container (1) that makes the outer body of the improved storage tank ( 100); wherein the outer container ( 1) remains in direct contact with the outer environment; Said inner container (2) is placed inside the outer container (1);

Between the outer container ( 1) and the inner container (2), polyurethane foam (3) is placed; wherein polyurethane foam (3) is of the thickness is in the range of 80 to 90 mm;

After the polyurethane foam (3) is placed between the outer container (1) and the inner container (2); wherein said polyurethane foam (3) is secured between the layers of the outer container ( 1) and the inner container (2); Said outer container ( 1) and the inner container (2) is made from LLDPE, LDPE or PE; wherein the outer container ( 1), and the inner container (2) has thickness in the range of 3 to 4 mm;

A lid cover (4) is used to close the improved storage tank ( 100) from the top; An Air vent (5) is provided in the lid cover (4) is provided for breathing and proper air circulation to avoid any bad smell in the filled fluid / water and also overcome to create any vacuum / internal pressure provide why is the air vent given in the lid cover; The lid cover (4) also has Polyurethane Foam (3) inside to provide insulation;

A pipe connection (6) is provided at the bottom of the improved storage tank ( 100) for the drainage of fluid.

2. An improved storage tank ( 100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the outer container ( 1) is divided into two parts namely: Outer Container bottom (7), and the Outer Container top (8); The inner container (2) is placed inside the outer container bottom (7);

Between the outer container bottom (7) and the inner container (2), polyurethane foam (3) is placed;

After the polyurethane foam (3) is placed between the outer container bottom (7) and the inner container (2), the outer container top (8) is connected with said outer container bottom (7) through bolting (9); Covering with the outer container top (8) secures the polyurethane foam (3) in between the layers of the outer container ( 1) and the inner container (2) .