The present invention relates generally to fluid storage tanks, also known as above-ground storage tanks (“ASTs”). More particularly, the present invention relates to fluid storage tanks having a stadium or obround shape. The present invention also relates to fluid storage tanks having tension members spanning the panels thereof.
Above-ground fluid storage tanks are well known in the art and are employed in a variety of industries. In oil and gas drilling applications, such storage tanks are used to hold well fracturing fluids as an alternative or additionally to smaller trailer tanks and/or skidded tanks. Often a very large amount of fracturing fluid is necessary for performing the fracturing operation. A well is ideally fractured in a single, uninterrupted procedure to avoid unnecessary expenses, such as equipment rental and labor costs incurred if the fracturing procedure is temporarily terminated to replenish fracturing fluid. As such, large storage tanks capable of holding sufficient fluid for one or more fracturing operations are desirable. Storage tanks of a necessary size may be too large to transport when fully assembled, so the tanks may be modularly constructed to facilitate transportation from jobsite to jobsite in a disassembled state. In order to prevent fluid from escaping at the joints between the modular sections of such storage tanks, a liner may be utilized.
Current storage tanks are often circular in shape to provide the strongest resistance to outward bowing of the tank walls due to the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid contained within the tanks. However, circular tanks may be impractical in applications where the terrain of the jobsite limits the size of the tank that can be used. In some circumstances, it may be preferable to provide an elongated tank having a different length than width to accommodate the topography of the jobsite. However, the design of tanks that deviate from a circular shape must consider the decreased resistance to hydrostatic pressure inherent in non-circular shapes. Additionally, increasing the height of the storage tanks to increase the holding capacity inherently increases the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid exerted on the tank walls. Thus, additional structural support may be necessary to provide tanks having sufficient holding strength.
An example of a tank design having structural reinforcement is described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0138/728 to McDermott et al. McDermott teaches an elongated tank having ties extending across the width of the tank to connect the tank walls opposite one another, thereby providing resistance against bowing of the tank walls. The ties of McDermott are connected to brackets secured to the inside of the tank walls. Another method of providing internal structural support to a storage tank described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,533,041 to Plummer utilizes inclined bracing connecting the walls of a rectangular tank to the floor. U.S. Pat. No. 7,934,619 to Robertson describes a waste water tank having multiple internal chambers separated by inner walls. Similar to McDermott, Robertson provides cables extending between the inner walls to provide bracing and support when the chambers are filled to different levels and, thus, exert uneven pressure on opposite sides of the inner walls.
The ties of McDermott, bracing of Plummer, and cables of Robertson are attached to inside walls of the tank such that a liner cannot be used. Other examples of storage tanks which are compatible with liners may utilize external bracing to reinforce the tank walls against hydrostatic pressure. One such design is described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,551,163 to Perez, which is directed to a modular liquid storage tank having external, triangular buttresses which transmit hydrostatic pressure exerted on the walls of the tank downwardly to a shoe.
In view of the foregoing, there exists a need for a fluid storage tank having a stadium or obround shape having straight side panels and semicircular ends. Further, there exists a need for a fluid storage tank spanned by tension members to resist hydrostatic pressure, without interfering with the tank liner.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a fluid storage tank including a plurality of end panels defining a plurality of curved wall sections and a plurality of side panels extending between and connecting the plurality of curved wall sections. The plurality of end panels and plurality of side panels define a perimeter wall. The fluid storage tank further includes a plurality of cable arms, each of the cable arms connected to a flange of at least one of the plurality of end panels or at least one of the plurality of side panels, and at least one upper tension member having a first end connected to one of the plurality of cable arms and a second end connected to another of the plurality of cable arms.
In some non-limiting embodiments, each cable arm includes a main arm, at least one tension member mounting bracket attached to one end of the main arm and configured to attach to one of the upper tension members, and a panel mounting bracket attached to an opposite end of the main arm and configured to attach to the flange of at least one of the end panels or side panels.
In some non-limiting embodiments, the main arm of each cable arm is spaced apart from an outer face of the corresponding end panel or side panel to define a gap for receiving a liner.
In some non-limiting embodiments, the fluid storage tank further includes at least one lower tension member having a first end connected to one of the end panels or side panels and a second end connected to another of the end panels or side panels.
In some non-limiting embodiments, each of the end panels and side panels includes a plate and two vertical flanges on opposite edges of the plate. The vertical flanges of each end panel and side panel define a plurality of connecting holes for receiving panel fasteners to removably attach each end panel or side panel to adjacent end panels and side panels. The plurality of connecting holes on the vertical flanges of each of the end panels and side panels are arranged in the same pattern so that each end panel and side panel may be connected to any other end panel or side panel.
In some non-limiting embodiments, each of the vertical flanges of the side panels defines a cable arm mounting hole, and each cable arm defines a panel mounting hole connectable to a cable arm mounting hole defined in each of a pair of adjacent panels consisting of at least one side panel and at least one end panel.
In some non-limiting embodiments, the cable arm mounting holes are one or more of the connecting holes.
In some non-limiting embodiments, each of the end panels and side panels further includes one or more ribs extending between the vertical flanges.
In some non-limiting embodiments, the perimeter wall is obround- or stadium-shaped.
In some non-limiting embodiments, the fluid storage tank further includes one or more external braces, each external brace extending from a corresponding one of the end panels or side panels. Each external brace includes a foot extending substantially perpendicular to the corresponding end panel or side panel, and a main leg extending from an end of the foot upward on an incline to attach to the corresponding end panel or side panel.
Other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a fluid storage tank system including a fluid storage tank including a plurality of end panels defining a first plurality of curved wall sections, a plurality of side panels extending between and connecting the first plurality of curved wall sections, the plurality of end panels and plurality of side panels defining a first perimeter wall, a plurality of cable arms, each connected to an outer face of at least one of the plurality of end panels and the plurality of side panels, and at least one upper tension member having a first end connected to one of the plurality of cable arms and a second end connected to another of the plurality of cable arms. The fluid storage tank system further includes a secondary containment tank including a plurality of end panels defining a second plurality of curved wall sections, and a plurality of side panels extending between and connecting the second plurality of curved wall sections. The plurality of end panels and plurality of side panels define a second perimeter wall concentrically or eccentrically surrounding the fluid storage tank.
In some non-limiting embodiments, the secondary containment tank further includes a plurality of cable arms, each connected to an outer face of one of the plurality of side panels, and at least one upper tension member having a first end connected to one of the plurality of cable arms and a second end connected to another of the plurality of cable arms.
In some non-limiting embodiments, each cable arm includes a main arm, at least one tension member mounting bracket attached to one end of the main arm and configured to attach to one of the upper tension members, and a panel mounting bracket attached to an opposite end of the main arm and configured to attach to the flange of at least one of the end panels or side panels.
In some non-limiting embodiments, the main arm of each cable arm is spaced apart from an outer face of the corresponding end panel or side panel to define a gap for receiving a liner.
In some non-limiting embodiments, the fluid storage tank further includes at least one lower tension member having a first end connected to one of the end panels or side panels and a second end connected to another of the end panels or side panels.
In some non-limiting embodiments, the first perimeter wall and the second perimeter wall are each obround- or stadium-shaped.
In some non-limiting embodiments, the plurality of end panels of the secondary containment tank have a larger radius than the plurality of end panels of the fluid storage tank.
Other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method of assembling a fluid tank. The method includes arranging a plurality of end panels to define a plurality of curved wall sections, arranging a plurality of side panels extending between and connecting the plurality of curved wall sections to define a perimeter wall along with the curved wall sections, attaching a plurality of cable arms to at least one of the plurality of end panels and the plurality of side panels, attaching a first end of at least one upper tension member to a first of the plurality of cable arms, and attaching a second end of the at least one upper tension member to a second of the plurality of cable arms. The second of the plurality of cable arms is attached to a different side panel than the first of the plurality of cable arms.
In some non-limiting embodiments, the plurality of cable arms are attached to the plurality of end panels or the plurality of side panels such that a gap is defined between each cable arm and a corresponding one of the side panels.
In some non-limiting embodiments, the method further includes installing a liner over the perimeter wall such that a portion of the liner occupies the gap between each cable arm and the corresponding one of the end panels or side panels.
Further aspects and embodiments of the present invention are described in the following numbered clauses.
Clause 1. A fluid storage tank comprising: a plurality of end panels defining a plurality of curved wall sections; a plurality of side panels extending between and connecting the plurality of curved wall sections, the plurality of end panels and plurality of side panels defining a perimeter wall; a plurality of cable arms, each of the cable arms connected to a flange of at least one of the plurality of end panels or at least one of the plurality of side panels; and at least one upper tension member having a first end connected to one of the plurality of cable arms and a second end connected to another of the plurality of cable arms.
Clause 2. The fluid storage tank of clause 1, wherein each cable arm comprises: a main arm; at least one tension member mounting bracket attached to one end of the main arm and configured to attach to at least one of the upper tension members; and a panel mounting bracket attached to an opposite end of the main arm and configured to attach to the flange of at least one of the end panels or side panels.
Clause 3. The fluid storage tank of clause 1 or 2, wherein the main arm of each cable arm is spaced apart from an outer face of the corresponding end panel or side panel to define a gap for receiving a liner.
Clause 4. The fluid storage tank of any of clauses 1-3, further comprising at least one lower tension member having a first end connected to one of the end panels or side panels and a second end connected to another of the end panels or side panels.
Clause 5. The fluid storage tank of any of clauses 1-4, wherein each of the end panels and side panels comprises a plate and two vertical flanges on opposite edges of the plate, wherein the vertical flanges of each end panel and side panel define a plurality of connecting holes for receiving panel fasteners to removably attach each end panel or side panel to adjacent end panels and side panels, and wherein the plurality of connecting holes on the vertical flanges of each of the end panels and side panels are arranged in the same pattern so that each end panel and side panel may be connected to any other end panel or side panel.
Clause 6. The fluid storage tank of any of clauses 1-5, wherein each of the vertical flanges of the side panels defines a cable arm mounting hole, and wherein each cable arm defines a panel mounting hole connectable to a cable arm mounting hole defined in each of a pair of adjacent panels consisting of at least one side panel and at least one end panel.
Clause 7. The fluid storage tank of any of clauses 1-6, wherein the cable arm mounting holes are one or more of the connecting holes.
Clause 8. The fluid storage tank of any of clauses 1-7, wherein each of the end panels and side panels further comprises one or more ribs extending between the vertical flanges.
Clause 9. The fluid storage tank of any of clauses 1-8, wherein the perimeter wall is obround- or stadium-shaped.
Clause 10. The fluid storage tank of any of clauses 1-9, further comprising one or more external braces, each external brace extending from a corresponding one of the end panels or side panels, each external brace comprising: a foot extending substantially perpendicular to the corresponding end panel or side panel; and a main leg extending from an end of the foot upward on an incline to attach to the corresponding end panel or side panel.
Clause 11. A fluid storage tank system comprising: a fluid storage tank comprising: a plurality of end panels defining a first plurality of curved wall sections; a plurality of side panels extending between and connecting the first plurality of curved wall sections, the plurality of end panels and plurality of side panels defining a first perimeter wall; a plurality of cable arms, each connected to an outer face of at least one of the plurality of end panels and the plurality of side panels; and at least one upper tension member having a first end connected to one of the plurality of cable arms and a second end connected to another of the plurality of cable arms; and a secondary containment tank comprising: a plurality of end panels defining a second plurality of curved wall sections; and a plurality of side panels extending between and connecting the second plurality of curved wall sections, the plurality of end panels and plurality of side panels defining a second perimeter wall concentrically or eccentrically surrounding the fluid storage tank.
Clause 12. The fluid storage tank system of clause 11, wherein the secondary containment tank further comprises: a plurality of cable arms, each connected to an outer face of at least one of the plurality of end panels and the plurality of side panels; and at least one upper tension member having a first end connected to one of the plurality of cable arms and a second end connected to another of the plurality of cable arms.
Clause 13. The fluid storage tank system of clause 11 or 12, wherein each cable arm comprises: a main arm; at least one tension member mounting bracket attached to one end of the main arm and configured to attach to at least one of the upper tension members; and a panel mounting bracket attached to an opposite end of the main arm and configured to attach to the flange of at least one of the end panels or side panels.
Clause 14. The fluid storage tank system of any of clauses 11-13, wherein the main arm of each cable arm is spaced apart from an outer face of the corresponding end panel or side panel to define a gap for receiving a liner.
Clause 15. The fluid storage tank system of any of clauses 11-14, wherein the fluid storage tanks further comprises at least one lower tension member having a first end connected to one of the end panels or side panels and a second end connected to another of the end panels or side panels.
Clause 16. The fluid storage tank system of any of clauses 11-15, wherein the first perimeter wall and the second perimeter wall are each obround- or stadium-shaped.
Clause 17. The fluid storage tank system of any of clauses 11-16, wherein the plurality of end panels of the secondary containment tank have a larger radius than the plurality of end panels of the fluid storage tank.
Clause 18. A method of assembling a fluid tank, comprising: arranging a plurality of end panels to define a plurality of curved wall sections; arranging a plurality of side panels extending between and connecting the plurality of curved wall sections to define a perimeter wall along with the curved wall sections; attaching a plurality of cable arms to at least one of the plurality of end panels and the plurality of side panels; attaching a first end of at least one upper tension member to a first of the plurality of cable arms; and attaching a second end of the at least one upper tension member to a second of the plurality of cable arms, the second of the plurality of cable arms being attached to a different side panel than the first of the plurality of cable arms.
Clause 19. The method of clause 18, wherein the plurality of cable arms are attached to the plurality of end panels or the plurality of side panels such that a gap is defined between each cable arm and a corresponding one of the side panels.
Clause 20. The method of clause 18 or 19, further comprising: installing a liner over the perimeter wall such that a portion of the liner occupies the gap between each cable arm and the corresponding one of the end panels or side panels.
These and other features and characteristics of fluid storage tanks, as well as the methods of operation and assembly thereof, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosure. As used in the specification and claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal”, and derivatives thereof, shall relate to the disclosed apparatus as it is oriented in the figures. However, it is to be understood that the apparatus of the present disclosure may assume alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific systems and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary examples of the apparatus disclosed herein. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the examples disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.
As used herein, the term “at least one of” is synonymous with “one or more of”. For example, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C” means any one of A, B, and C, or any combination of any two or more of A, B, and C. For example, “at least one of A, B, and C” includes one or more of A alone; or one or more B alone; or one or more of C alone; or one or more of A and one or more of B; or one or more of A and one or more of C; or one or more of B and one or more of C; or one or more of all of A, B, and C. Similarly, as used herein, the term “at least two of” is synonymous with “two or more of”. For example, the phrase “at least two of D, E, and F” means any combination of any two or more of D, E, and F. For example, “at least two of D, E, and F” includes one or more of D and one or more of E; or one or more of D and one or more of F; or one or more of E and one or more of F; or one or more of all of D, E, and F.
Referring to
While not shown in the drawings, a fluid impermeable liner may be installed in the fluid storage tank 1000 to retain stored fluid within an internal volume defined by the end panels 100, the side panels 200, and a ground surface on which the storage tank 1000 is positioned. More particularly, the liner may cover the ground surface bounded by the end panels 100 and side panels 200, extend up inside faces of the end panels 100 and side panels 200, fold over the tops of the end panels 100 and side panels 200, and drape at least partially down outside faces of the end panels 100 and side panels 200. The liner may then be secured to the end panels 100 and/or side panels 200 via straps, hooks, or other fastening devices to prevent shifting of the liner during use of the fluid storage tank 1000. The liner creates a fluid-proof barrier preventing fluid from escaping the fluid storage tank 1000, particularly at the joints between the end panels 100 and side panels 200.
With continued reference to
Referring now to
Referring again to
The end panels 100 and side panels 200 may be connected to one another by arranging adjacent end panels 100 and/or side panels 200, such that their respective panel connecting holes 116, 216 align. The panel fasteners 600 may be inserted and secured through the connecting holes 116, 216 of the adjacent end panels 100 and/or side panels 200. To assist in assembly of the fluid storage tank 1000, the flanges 112, 212 of end panels 100 and side panels 200 may include alignment tabs or other features to guide the end panels 100 and side panels 200 into position relative to one another. One skilled in the art may appreciate that the end panels 100 and side panels 200 may be connected using arrangements other than the panel connecting holes of the flanges 112, 212. For example, adjacent end panels 100 and side panels 200 may be attached with clips or, in permanent installations, welds.
Referring now to
With continued reference to
With continued reference to
Referring now to
Referring now to
While several examples of a fluid storage tank is shown in the accompanying figures and described in detail hereinabove, other examples will be apparent to, and readily made by, those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. For example, it is to be understood that aspects of the various embodiments described hereinabove may be combined with aspects of other embodiments while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The assembly of the present invention described hereinabove is defined by the appended claims and all changes to the disclosed assembly that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/649,909, filed on Mar. 29, 2018, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2019/024850 | 3/29/2019 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62649909 | Mar 2018 | US |