Patent Application
20190136651
Fluid is often used when drilling or fracking oil wells. The fluid is frequently stored adjacent the well in a storage tank until it is used. Storage tanks may leak or otherwise inadvertently discharge the contained fluid. The unintended discharge of fluid may create an environmental hazard and fluid storage tanks are typically encircled by a containment system that is designed to catch any fluid that may leak from the storage tank.
One common system uses large preformed plastic interconnected barrier segments that are positioned around the space where the tank will be placed. Once in place, the barriers are designed to be filled with water to give them sufficient mass to stay in place. Once the preformed barrier segments are positioned, an impervious membrane can be positioned over the resulting barrier.
This system is costly to transport because the preformed barrier segments are bulky. This system is time consuming to set up because each barrier segment is bulky and should be filled with water once in place. Generally speaking, operators of a drill site seek to minimize the amount of time third-party contractors are on the site setting up containment systems. The preformed plastic barrier system is relatively time consuming to set up and even more time is required to fill each segment with water. If the system is used where it freezes, the barrier segments will break unless additional time and expense is invested in assuring that each plastic barrier segment is filled with a fluid that will not freeze.
Another common system used for taller containment systems utilizes steel plates that are formed with a slight arc such that, when connected to each other, the joined plates form a circle. The plates are heavy and are typically placed with a forklift. The plates are inherently unstable and are very difficult to position in a windy environment. In fact, the panels may be blown over as they are being positioned. Because they are heavy and unstable, they present a danger to those attempting to assemble a containment system using steel plates. Additionally, because of their weight and inherent instability, assembly is time consuming and dangerous.
Embodiments comprise a fluid impervious membrane overlapping a barrier wall made up of a plurality of interconnected wall segments. The wall segments are made up of a plurality of generally horizontally extending pre-formed members that are joined at a first and a second end of the wall segments. A planar member spans the distance between a top horizontally extending wall member and a bottom horizontally extending wall member on the interior of the wall segment. In one embodiment, the fluid impervious membrane is positioned between adjacent horizontally extending pre-formed members and a membrane securing member is interposed between the same adjacent horizontally extending pre-formed members such that the fluid impervious membrane is between the adjacent horizontally extending pre-formed members and the membrane securing member. In one embodiment, a tensioning member connects opposing wall segments.
In some embodiments, a fluid containment system has a fluid impervious membrane that spans a closed wall. The closed wall has a first and second wall segment. The wall segments are made of four, generally horizontal, tubular members joined at generally triangular plates at the ends of the wall segments. A generally planer member spans the distance between two of the generally horizontal tubular members on one side of the wall segments. A corner member is used to join adjacent wall segments such that the joined wall segments are non-linear. Corner members enable wall segments to be joined such that a plurality of wall segments may form a closed wall. A membrane securing member is placed between adjacent generally horizontal tubular members with the fluid impervious membrane interposed between the membrane securing member and the adjacent generally horizontal tubular members. In one embodiment, a tensioning cable joins opposing wall segments in the closed wall. In one embodiment, a plurality of tensioning cables joins opposing wall segments through connection to a bridle.
In some embodiments, a barrier wall has a slot. The slot has slot walls. A fluid impervious membrane spans the barrier wall and is interposed between the slot walls and a fluid impervious membrane securing member inserted between the slot walls. In some embodiments, a second fluid impervious membrane is supported by a truss that has truss supports. At least one truss support has a foot that may be inserted in the barrier wall slots to support the truss and to connect the truss to the barrier wall. The foot may also secure the second fluid impervious membrane to the barrier wall.
Embodiments of a fluid containment structure system discussed herein provide a fluid containment system that is not bulky, and therefore may be shipped efficiently. The components of smaller system may be assembled relatively quickly by two men. The preassembled wall segments are sufficiently light that two men can typically safely position the segments in place. For taller systems, a small forklift may be required to position the wall segments but the wall segments are inherently stable and are not easily toppled by common wind forces. Only three bolts are needed to connect adjacent segments in some embodiments and assembly typically takes less than one third of the time required to properly assemble previously known barrier system. Because embodiments herein do not require fluid to provide mass, the system may be used in colder climates without concern. Embodiments may also be used to create a barrier wall having variable configurations which enable adaptation to varying topography.
System 100 includes a wall segment 2 which includes four lengths of square tubing 4 attached to generally triangular end plates 6. It should be appreciated that square tubing 4 may be attached to triangular end plates 6 in one or more of a variety of ways, including welding, bonding, adhering, coupling via fasteners (screws, nails, bolts, etc.) without departing from the scope hereof. Two lengths of square tubing 4 form the base 8 of the wall segment 2. Two lengths of the square tubing 4 are spaced apart to form the top 10 of the wall segment 2. A plate 12 spans the distance between the inner top square tubing 10a and the inner base square tubing 8a. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that square tubing 4 may be replaced with other structural members and that the cross-sectional shape of the wall segment 2 need not be triangular, but may be any arbitrary shape without departing from the scope hereof. Moreover, other known connection methods may be used to join the components of the wall segment 2, and the wall segment could assume different shapes or have different numbers of component pieces without departing from the scope hereof.
In one embodiment, an angular member 14 joins adjacent wall segments 2a, 2b. The angular member 14 is joined to adjacent wall segments 2a and 2b with bolts 16 (not shown) through bolt holes 17. When joined to an angular member 14, adjacent wall segments 2a, 2b are angled with respect to one another and when sufficient additional wall segments 2 and angled members 14 are joined, a closed wall 18, as shown in
Embodiments described herein provide a significant advantage of versatility of use of the system 100. With angled members 14 having a variety of angles (See
In certain embodiments, the force of retained fluids may be sufficient to move opposing wall segments 2 away from each other. To counteract this force, cables 22 may connect opposing wall segments 2. The cables 22 may directly connect opposing wall segments 2 or may connect through an intermediate ring 24. One of skill will understand other tensioning members may be used in lieu of the cables 22.
As shown in
In some embodiments, it may be desirable to cover a liquid retained in the fluid containment system.
Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope hereof. Embodiments have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not depart from its scope of the invention claimed. A skilled artisan may develop alternative means of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the scope hereof. It will be understood that certain features and sub combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub combinations and are contemplated to be within the scope of the claims. The specific configurations and contours set forth in the accompanying drawings are illustrative and not limiting.
