WO2022226572A1 - Digestion tank - Google Patents
Digestion tank Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2022226572A1 WO2022226572A1 PCT/AU2021/050382 AU2021050382W WO2022226572A1 WO 2022226572 A1 WO2022226572 A1 WO 2022226572A1 AU 2021050382 W AU2021050382 W AU 2021050382W WO 2022226572 A1 WO2022226572 A1 WO 2022226572A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- digestion tank
- wall panels
- roof
- wall
- tank
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000029087 digestion Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 48
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000011178 precast concrete Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 abstract description 12
- 239000002440 industrial waste Substances 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 description 4
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- -1 for example Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000010808 liquid waste Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000010802 sludge Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000002351 wastewater Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920002457 flexible plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000010796 biological waste Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005266 casting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004567 concrete Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007717 exclusion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010842 industrial wastewater Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002861 polymer material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
- E04H7/00—Construction or assembling of bulk storage containers employing civil engineering techniques in situ or off the site
- E04H7/02—Containers for fluids or gases; Supports therefor
- E04H7/18—Containers for fluids or gases; Supports therefor mainly of concrete, e.g. reinforced concrete, or other stone-like material
-
- 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
- B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
- B65D90/02—Wall construction
- B65D90/023—Modular panels
- B65D90/026—Parallel slats
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F11/00—Treatment of sludge; Devices therefor
- C02F11/02—Biological treatment
- C02F11/04—Anaerobic treatment; Production of methane by such processes
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F3/00—Biological treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F3/28—Anaerobic digestion processes
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03F—SEWERS; CESSPOOLS
- E03F5/00—Sewerage structures
- E03F5/18—Tanks for disinfecting, neutralising, or cooling sewage
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/343—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport
- E04B1/34315—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport characterised by separable parts
- E04B1/34321—Structures characterised by movable, separable, or collapsible parts, e.g. for transport characterised by separable parts mainly constituted by panels
-
- 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
- B65D2590/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
- B65D2590/02—Wall construction
-
- 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
- B65D2590/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
- B65D2590/02—Wall construction
- B65D2590/04—Linings
-
- 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
- B65D90/04—Linings
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
- C02F2201/002—Construction details of the apparatus
- C02F2201/007—Modular design
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
- C02F2201/008—Mobile apparatus and plants, e.g. mounted on a vehicle
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2203/00—Apparatus and plants for the biological treatment of water, waste water or sewage
- C02F2203/006—Apparatus and plants for the biological treatment of water, waste water or sewage details of construction, e.g. specially adapted seals, modules, connections
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03F—SEWERS; CESSPOOLS
- E03F5/00—Sewerage structures
- E03F5/10—Collecting-tanks; Equalising-tanks for regulating the run-off; Laying-up basins
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/35—Extraordinary methods of construction, e.g. lift-slab, jack-block
- E04B2001/3583—Extraordinary methods of construction, e.g. lift-slab, jack-block using permanent tensioning means, e.g. cables or rods, to assemble or rigidify structures (not pre- or poststressing concrete), e.g. by tying them around the structure
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04C—STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS
- E04C2/00—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels
- E04C2/44—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the purpose
- E04C2/52—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the purpose with special adaptations for auxiliary purposes, e.g. serving for locating conduits
- E04C2/526—Building elements of relatively thin form for the construction of parts of buildings, e.g. sheet materials, slabs, or panels characterised by the purpose with special adaptations for auxiliary purposes, e.g. serving for locating conduits with adaptations not otherwise provided for, for connecting, transport; for making impervious or hermetic, e.g. sealings
- E04C2/528—Impervious or hermetic panels not otherwise provided for
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E50/00—Technologies for the production of fuel of non-fossil origin
- Y02E50/30—Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel
Definitions
- the invention relates to a digestion tank.
- the invention relates, but is not limited, to a modular, demountable anaerobic digestion tank configured to process liquid waste or by-products such as effluent, or the like.
- waste liquids such as sewerage or industrial by products
- waterways such as rivers, lakes, or the sea.
- waste liquids were discharged into waterways such as rivers, lakes, or the sea.
- Such discharges can have serious environmental consequences and, over time, the waste liquids were treated prior to discharge.
- the liquid waste products were delivered to treatment ponds.
- the waste water can then be treated in the pond and waste by-products disposed of responsibly which is resource intensive and costly.
- Anaerobic digestion is more recently utilised process to treat suitable liquid waste into one or more desirable products by providing an environment in which microorganisms can break down biodegradable materials in the liquid.
- lagoons can be covered and made anaerobic to simultaneously improve the waste or by-product liquid and to generate useful gasses.
- methane can be generated and utilised to provide energy, such as for a to provide a heat source and/or electricity generation.
- a digestion tank comprising: a demountable tank comprising a plurality of precast wall panels retained by a tensioning system to form a continuous wall; and a roof mounted on the continuous wall to fluidly seal a cavity formed between the roof, the wall panels, and the floor.
- the roof may be flexible.
- the roof may comprise an inner roof and an outer roof. At least one of the inner roof and outer roof may be flexible.
- the roof may comprise one or more membranes.
- the roof may comprise an inner membrane.
- the roof may comprise an outer membrane.
- the roof is a double membrane roof comprising an inner membrane spaced apart from an outer membrane.
- the roof may comprise a flexible plastic or polymer material such as, for example, polypropylene.
- the digestion tank may comprise a roof support member to support at least a portion of the roof.
- the support member may be in the form of a support column.
- the support column may comprise a central support column.
- the support column may extend from the floor to the roof. In a double membrane roof, the support column may extend from the floor to the inner membrane.
- the wall panels may be made of a cementitious material.
- the wall panels may comprise precast concrete panels.
- the wall panels may be substantially planar.
- the wall panels may be rectangular.
- the wall panels may have side walls at a transverse angle to the plane of the panel. The side walls may be angled from 0° to 5° relative to the orthogonal axis of the plane of the panel. Adjacent wall panels of the continuous wall may directly abut each other.
- the wall panels may have at least one channel that receives the tensioning system.
- the continuous wall is preferably circular or, at least, substantially circular.
- the demountable tank may comprise a liner configured to fluidly seal the wall panels and floor of the demountable tank. In a preferred embodiment there are between 20-500 wall panels, more preferably between 20 and 400 wall panels, and even more preferably between approximately 25 and 300 wall panels.
- the tensioning system may comprise a cable tensioning system.
- the cable tensioning system may comprise at least one cable extending around a plurality of the wall panels.
- the cable may be external to the wall panels, may be internal to the wall panels, or partially external and partially internal to the wall panels.
- the cable tensioning system may comprise a cable anchor at least one end of the cable.
- the cable tensioning system may comprise a cable anchor at each end of the cable.
- the tensioning system may comprise a single cable tensioning system extending the perimeter of the continuous wall.
- the cable tensioning system may comprise a plurality of cables each extending around a portion of the perimeter of the continuous wall.
- the continuous wall preferably has no support structures, such as buttresses, extending radially or perpendicularly to the wall panels.
- the digestion tank is preferably an anaerobic digestion tank.
- the digestion tank is preferably configured to maintain a constant pressure between the inner roof and outer roof.
- the pressure is preferably constant regardless of the volume of liquid contained in the digestion tank.
- the constant pressure is preferably above atmospheric pressure.
- a method of constructing a digestion tank comprising: erecting a plurality of precast wall panels at a site to form a continuous wall; tightening a tensioning system to hold the plurality of wall panels in an interference fit; constructing a roof over the continuous wall to fluidly seal a cavity formed between the roof, wall panels, and the floor.
- the method may comprise levelling a ground surface to form the floor.
- the floor may be earthen.
- the method may comprise creating a pad for form the floor.
- the method may comprise creating a concrete pad.
- the method may comprise supporting the plurality of precast wall panels with temporary supports until the tensioning system is tightened to hold the wall panels in the interference fit.
- the method may comprise applying a liner to fluidly seal the wall panels and floor.
- the method of constructing a digestion tank preferably comprises constructing the digestion tank as hereinbefore described.
- Figure 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of a digestion tank
- Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a demountable tank
- Figure 3 a cross sectional view of adjacent wall panels of the demountable tank.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a digestion tank 10 having a wall 100 extending upwards from a floor 140, a roof mounted on the wall 100, comprising an outer membrane 200 and inner membrane 220, and a roof support member in the form of a central support column 300 that supports the inner membrane 220.
- the illustrated digestion tank 10 also comprises optional agitators 400 located in a lower region of the tank 10, to stimulate movement of liquids container therein, and an inspection platform and/or blower support 500 located outside the tank 10.
- the digestion tank 10 has an inlet 160, a gas outlet 180, an effluent outlet 182, and a sludge discharge outlet 184.
- the inlet 160 is located in a lower region of the tank 10 to allow fluid communication of liquid to be processed 20, such as effluent or other biological or industrial waste water, to the inside of the tank 10.
- the gas outlet 180 is located in an upper region of the tank to allow fluid communication of gasses 40 that accumulate between the liquid 20 and inner membrane 220.
- the effluent outlet 182 and sludge discharge outlet 184 are located in a low region of the tank 10. It should be appreciated that the sludge discharge outlet could be via a sump (not shown).
- the floor 140 is illustrated as being integral with the wall 100 in figure 1 , in preferred forms the wall 100 is independent, resting upon the floor 140.
- the floor 140 may be earthen or may comprise a pad depending on the size and nature of the tank 10 and surrounding environment (e.g. whether an earthen floor is suitable or otherwise).
- FIG. 2 illustrates the wall 100 during construction with optional temporary supports 102.
- the wall 100 is substantially circular comprising a plurality of precast wall panels 110 arranged adjacent one another.
- the panels 110 are planar such that each forms a circle segment. In the illustrated wall 100 there are approximately 200 wall panels 110.
- the wall panels 110 have side walls 1 12 that are at a transverse angle, preferably between 0° and 5° to an orthogonal axis of the plane of the panels 110.
- the wall panels 110 also have a channel 114 configured to receive a cable from a cable tensioning system.
- the tensioning cable (not shown) is passed through the channels 114 of adjacent wall panels 110 and tensioned at cable anchors 120 in selected wall panels 110.
- a plurality of tensioning cables, anchored by a plurality of cable anchors 120, may be provided to extend around the continuous wall.
- the angled side walls 112 allow the wall panels 110 to abut each other and provide support in a ‘keystone’ manner such that they cannot fall inward.
- the cable tensioning system retains the wall panels 110 in such an arrangement and provide support such that the wall panels cannot fall outward. In use, radial forces from liquid 20 contained therein provides a radial force against the wall panels 110.
- the tensioning system must therefore be of sufficient strength to not just hold the wall panels 110 in place in a freestanding manner, but also to be able to withstand the radial forces caused by the liquid 20 contained therein.
- a suitable site is preferably first determined.
- the site may be prepared first, such as by levelling a ground surface and/or creating a pad to form a floor of the tank 10.
- One a suitable ground surface has been determined, a plurality of precast wall panels 110 can be erected to form a continuous wall 100.
- Temporary supports 102 may be utilised to support the wall panels 110 during construction.
- a tensioning system is then applied to the wall panels 110 and tightened to old the wall panels 110 in an interference fit.
- a roof 200, 220 may then be constructed over the continuous wall 100 to fluidly seal a cavity formed between the roof 200, 220, wall 100, and floor 140.
- the outer roof 200 and inner roof 220 are preferably flexible. In preferred forms they may comprise a flexible plastics material such as polypropylene.
- the digestion tank 10 can be constructed quickly and relatively cost effectively at a site in a modular and adaptable manner. It can be a temporary or permanent installation with casting performed off-site.
- Waste liquids such as effluent or industrial wastes, can then be processed in the digestion tank 10, preferably through anaerobic digestion.
- Gasses such as methane, can be extracted and used to provide energy such as, for example, to heat boilers or to generate electricity.
- the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’, or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Microbiology (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Treatment Of Sludge (AREA)
Abstract
A digestion tank, and method of constructing same, having a demountable tank made up from a plurality of precast wall panels retained by a tensioning system to form a continuous, preferably circular, wall and a roof mounted on the continuous wall to fluidly seal a cavity formed between the roof, the wall panels. The digestion tank can be easily constructed to process liquids, preferably through anaerobic digestion, such as, for example, effluent and industrial wastes.
Description
DIGESTION TANK
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001 ] The invention relates to a digestion tank. In particular, the invention relates, but is not limited, to a modular, demountable anaerobic digestion tank configured to process liquid waste or by-products such as effluent, or the like.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge.
[0003] Historically, waste liquids, such as sewerage or industrial by products, were discharged into waterways such as rivers, lakes, or the sea. Such discharges can have serious environmental consequences and, over time, the waste liquids were treated prior to discharge. In many cases the liquid waste products were delivered to treatment ponds. The waste water can then be treated in the pond and waste by-products disposed of responsibly which is resource intensive and costly.
[0004] Anaerobic digestion is more recently utilised process to treat suitable liquid waste into one or more desirable products by providing an environment in which microorganisms can break down biodegradable materials in the liquid. For example, lagoons can be covered and made anaerobic to simultaneously improve the waste or by-product liquid and to generate useful gasses. For example, methane can be generated and utilised to provide energy, such as for a to provide a heat source and/or electricity generation.
[0005] A downside of anaerobic digesters is that they are costly and relatively permanent. This limits their uptake to long term larger scale operations. They are therefore more well suited to on-going waste water processing plants, such as for sewerage treatment, but in certain operations the need to treat waste water might be temporary. In such circumstances, it is impractical to construct a permanent anaerobic digestion plant.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an aim of this invention to provide a digestion tank which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative.
[0007] Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0008] In one form, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadest form, there is provided a digestion tank comprising: a demountable tank comprising a plurality of precast wall panels retained by a tensioning system to form a continuous wall; and a roof mounted on the continuous wall to fluidly seal a cavity formed between the roof, the wall panels, and the floor.
[0009] The roof may be flexible. The roof may comprise an inner roof and an outer roof. At least one of the inner roof and outer roof may be flexible. The roof may comprise one or more membranes. The roof may comprise an inner membrane. The roof may comprise an outer membrane. In a preferred form the roof is a double membrane roof comprising an inner membrane spaced apart from an outer membrane. The roof may comprise a flexible plastic or polymer material such as, for example, polypropylene.
[0010] The digestion tank may comprise a roof support member to support at least a portion of the roof. The support member may be in the form of a support column. The support column may comprise a central support column. The support column may extend from the floor to the roof. In a double membrane roof, the support column may extend from the floor to the inner membrane.
[0011 ] The wall panels may be made of a cementitious material. The wall panels may comprise precast concrete panels. The wall panels may be substantially planar. The wall panels may be rectangular. The wall panels may
have side walls at a transverse angle to the plane of the panel. The side walls may be angled from 0° to 5° relative to the orthogonal axis of the plane of the panel. Adjacent wall panels of the continuous wall may directly abut each other. The wall panels may have at least one channel that receives the tensioning system. The continuous wall is preferably circular or, at least, substantially circular. The demountable tank may comprise a liner configured to fluidly seal the wall panels and floor of the demountable tank. In a preferred embodiment there are between 20-500 wall panels, more preferably between 20 and 400 wall panels, and even more preferably between approximately 25 and 300 wall panels.
[0012] The tensioning system may comprise a cable tensioning system. The cable tensioning system may comprise at least one cable extending around a plurality of the wall panels. The cable may be external to the wall panels, may be internal to the wall panels, or partially external and partially internal to the wall panels. The cable tensioning system may comprise a cable anchor at least one end of the cable. The cable tensioning system may comprise a cable anchor at each end of the cable. The tensioning system may comprise a single cable tensioning system extending the perimeter of the continuous wall. The cable tensioning system may comprise a plurality of cables each extending around a portion of the perimeter of the continuous wall. The continuous wall preferably has no support structures, such as buttresses, extending radially or perpendicularly to the wall panels.
[0013] The digestion tank is preferably an anaerobic digestion tank. The digestion tank is preferably configured to maintain a constant pressure between the inner roof and outer roof. The pressure is preferably constant regardless of the volume of liquid contained in the digestion tank. The constant pressure is preferably above atmospheric pressure.
[0014] A method of constructing a digestion tank comprising: erecting a plurality of precast wall panels at a site to form a continuous wall;
tightening a tensioning system to hold the plurality of wall panels in an interference fit; constructing a roof over the continuous wall to fluidly seal a cavity formed between the roof, wall panels, and the floor.
[0015] The method may comprise levelling a ground surface to form the floor. The floor may be earthen. The method may comprise creating a pad for form the floor. The method may comprise creating a concrete pad. The method may comprise supporting the plurality of precast wall panels with temporary supports until the tensioning system is tightened to hold the wall panels in the interference fit. The method may comprise applying a liner to fluidly seal the wall panels and floor.
[0016] The method of constructing a digestion tank preferably comprises constructing the digestion tank as hereinbefore described.
[0017] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of a digestion tank;
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a demountable tank; and
Figure 3 a cross sectional view of adjacent wall panels of the demountable tank.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Figure 1 illustrates a digestion tank 10 having a wall 100 extending upwards from a floor 140, a roof mounted on the wall 100, comprising an outer membrane 200 and inner membrane 220, and a roof support member in the form of a central support column 300 that supports the inner membrane 220.
The illustrated digestion tank 10 also comprises optional agitators 400 located in a lower region of the tank 10, to stimulate movement of liquids container therein, and an inspection platform and/or blower support 500 located outside the tank 10.
[0020] The digestion tank 10 has an inlet 160, a gas outlet 180, an effluent outlet 182, and a sludge discharge outlet 184. The inlet 160 is located in a lower region of the tank 10 to allow fluid communication of liquid to be processed 20, such as effluent or other biological or industrial waste water, to the inside of the tank 10. The gas outlet 180 is located in an upper region of the tank to allow fluid communication of gasses 40 that accumulate between the liquid 20 and inner membrane 220. The effluent outlet 182 and sludge discharge outlet 184 are located in a low region of the tank 10. It should be appreciated that the sludge discharge outlet could be via a sump (not shown).
[0021 ] Although the floor 140 is illustrated as being integral with the wall 100 in figure 1 , in preferred forms the wall 100 is independent, resting upon the floor 140. The floor 140 may be earthen or may comprise a pad depending on the size and nature of the tank 10 and surrounding environment (e.g. whether an earthen floor is suitable or otherwise).
[0022] Figure 2 illustrates the wall 100 during construction with optional temporary supports 102. The wall 100 is substantially circular comprising a plurality of precast wall panels 110 arranged adjacent one another. The panels 110 are planar such that each forms a circle segment. In the illustrated wall 100 there are approximately 200 wall panels 110. Once the wall 100 has been erected and retained by a tensioning system the temporary supports 102 can be removed and the wall 100 should be self standing.
[0023] As shown in figure 3, the wall panels 110 have side walls 1 12 that are at a transverse angle, preferably between 0° and 5° to an orthogonal axis of the plane of the panels 110. The wall panels 110 also have a channel 114 configured to receive a cable from a cable tensioning system. The tensioning cable (not shown) is passed through the channels 114 of adjacent wall panels 110 and tensioned at cable anchors 120 in selected wall panels 110. A plurality
of tensioning cables, anchored by a plurality of cable anchors 120, may be provided to extend around the continuous wall. The angled side walls 112 allow the wall panels 110 to abut each other and provide support in a ‘keystone’ manner such that they cannot fall inward. The cable tensioning system retains the wall panels 110 in such an arrangement and provide support such that the wall panels cannot fall outward. In use, radial forces from liquid 20 contained therein provides a radial force against the wall panels 110. The tensioning system must therefore be of sufficient strength to not just hold the wall panels 110 in place in a freestanding manner, but also to be able to withstand the radial forces caused by the liquid 20 contained therein.
[0024] To construct the digestion tank 10, a suitable site is preferably first determined. The site may be prepared first, such as by levelling a ground surface and/or creating a pad to form a floor of the tank 10. One a suitable ground surface has been determined, a plurality of precast wall panels 110 can be erected to form a continuous wall 100. Temporary supports 102 may be utilised to support the wall panels 110 during construction. A tensioning system is then applied to the wall panels 110 and tightened to old the wall panels 110 in an interference fit.
[0025] A roof 200, 220 may then be constructed over the continuous wall 100 to fluidly seal a cavity formed between the roof 200, 220, wall 100, and floor 140. The outer roof 200 and inner roof 220 are preferably flexible. In preferred forms they may comprise a flexible plastics material such as polypropylene.
[0026] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc.
[0027] Advantageously, the digestion tank 10 can be constructed quickly and relatively cost effectively at a site in a modular and adaptable manner. It can be a temporary or permanent installation with casting performed off-site. Waste liquids, such as effluent or industrial wastes, can then be processed in the digestion tank 10, preferably through anaerobic digestion. Gasses, such as methane, can be extracted and used to provide energy such as, for example, to heat boilers or to generate electricity.
[0028] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.
[0029] As used herein, an element or operation recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or operations, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.
[0030] In this specification, the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’, or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.
Claims
1. A digestion tank comprising: a demountable tank comprising a plurality of precast wall panels retained by a tensioning system to form a continuous wall; and a roof mounted on the continuous wall to fluidly seal a cavity formed between the roof, the wall panels, and the floor.
2. The digestion tank of claim 1 , wherein the roof is flexible.
3. The digestion tank of claim 1 or 2, wherein the roof comprises an inner roof and an outer roof.
4. The digestion tank of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the roof comprises one or more membranes.
5. The digestion tank of claim 4, wherein the roof comprises a double membrane roof comprising an inner membrane spaced apart from an outer membrane.
6. The digestion tank of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a roof support member to support at least a portion of the roof.
7. The digestion tank of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the wall panels are substantially planar, precast concrete panels.
8. The digestion tank of claim 7, wherein the wall panels have side walls angled between 0° and 5° relative to the plane of the panel.
9. The digestion tank of any one or claims 1 to 8, wherein adjacent wall panels of the continuous wall directly abut each other.
10. The digestion tank of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the wall panels have at least one channel that receives the tensioning system.
11. The digestion tank of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the continuous wall is substantially circular.
12. The digestion tank of any one of claims 1 to 11 , further comprising a liner configured to fluidly seal the wall panels and floor of the demountable tank.
13. The digestion tank of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the continuous wall is formed from between 50-500 wall panels.
14. The digestion tank of claim 13, wherein the continuous wall is formed from between 150 and 300 wall panels.
15. The digestion tank of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the tensioning system comprises a cable tensioning system.
16. The digestion tank of claim 15, wherein the cable tensioning system comprises at least one cable extending around a plurality of the wall panels.
17. The digestion tank of claim 16, wherein the at least one cable is internal to the wall panels.
18. The digestion tank of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tank is an anaerobic digestion tank.
19. A method of constructing a digestion tank comprising: erecting a plurality of precast wall panels at a site to form a continuous wall;
tightening a tensioning system to hold the plurality of wall panels in an interference fit; constructing a roof over the continuous wall to fluidly seal a cavity formed between the roof, wall panels, and the floor.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising levelling a ground surface to form the floor.
21. The method of claim 19 or 20, wherein the method further comprises supporting the plurality of precast wall panels with temporary supports until the tensioning system is tightened to hold the wall panels in the interference fit.
22. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21 , further comprising applying a liner to fluidly seal the wall panels and floor.
23. The method of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the digestion tank is as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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PCT/AU2021/050382 WO2022226572A1 (en) | 2021-04-28 | 2021-04-28 | Digestion tank |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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PCT/AU2021/050382 WO2022226572A1 (en) | 2021-04-28 | 2021-04-28 | Digestion tank |
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WO2022226572A1 true WO2022226572A1 (en) | 2022-11-03 |
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PCT/AU2021/050382 WO2022226572A1 (en) | 2021-04-28 | 2021-04-28 | Digestion tank |
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Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AU502418B2 (en) * | 1976-07-21 | 1979-07-26 | Sanamatic Tanks Proprietary Limited | Aliquid storage tank |
US4207716A (en) * | 1977-09-14 | 1980-06-17 | A/S Dansk Spaendbeton | Receptacle having a circumferentially pre-stressed peripheral wall composed of concrete slabs |
JP2000043985A (en) * | 1998-07-23 | 2000-02-15 | Nakagami Doboku Sekkei Jimusho:Kk | Concrete panel and water tank |
CN201245999Y (en) * | 2008-08-01 | 2009-05-27 | 青岛天人环境工程有限公司 | Prefabricated component and split jointing pot body |
CA2833447A1 (en) * | 2011-04-20 | 2012-10-26 | Concept Environmental Services Pty Ltd | Storage tank |
WO2019166620A1 (en) * | 2018-03-01 | 2019-09-06 | Doranova Oy | Anaerobic digestion reactor and plant |
-
2021
- 2021-04-28 WO PCT/AU2021/050382 patent/WO2022226572A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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AU502418B2 (en) * | 1976-07-21 | 1979-07-26 | Sanamatic Tanks Proprietary Limited | Aliquid storage tank |
US4207716A (en) * | 1977-09-14 | 1980-06-17 | A/S Dansk Spaendbeton | Receptacle having a circumferentially pre-stressed peripheral wall composed of concrete slabs |
JP2000043985A (en) * | 1998-07-23 | 2000-02-15 | Nakagami Doboku Sekkei Jimusho:Kk | Concrete panel and water tank |
CN201245999Y (en) * | 2008-08-01 | 2009-05-27 | 青岛天人环境工程有限公司 | Prefabricated component and split jointing pot body |
CA2833447A1 (en) * | 2011-04-20 | 2012-10-26 | Concept Environmental Services Pty Ltd | Storage tank |
WO2019166620A1 (en) * | 2018-03-01 | 2019-09-06 | Doranova Oy | Anaerobic digestion reactor and plant |
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