Claims
- 1. A method of forming a composite storage tank system having secondary containment capability with the added capability of detecting leakage, said storage tank system having sufficient integral structural strength to withstand external load forces, comprising the steps of:
- (a) applying an open-cell synthetic foam as a separating agent to a rigid inner storage tank so that a subsequently formed jacket will not adhere to the tank and become a part thereof, said synthetic foam further characterized in being at least partly sealed on its outside surface to retard penetration of a subsequently applied liquid resinous material from impairing the gas pervious nature of the synthetic foam;
- (b) applying a fibrous reinforcing material and resinous material completely around the storage tank and onto the synthetic foam so that when cured a jacket is formed wherein resin support columns extend from the underside of the jacket, said jacket being independent of the storage tank so that a continuous closed space is created for the purpose of detecting leakage through the inner storage tank or jacket, yet is in such close proximity to the inner tank that said jacket and inner tank reinforce one another to achieve the integral structural strength.
- 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the synthetic foam is such that external forces are transferred from the jacket through the support columns to the rigid inner storage tank.
- 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the open-cell synthetic foam has a thickness of from about 0.125 inches to about 1.0 inch.
- 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the open-cell synthetic foam has a thickness of from about 0.125 inches to about 0.25 inches.
- 5. The method of claim 3 wherein the open-cell synthetic foam is at least partially sealed with a resinous material.
- 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the open-cell synthetic foam is at least partly sealed with the same resinous material as is used in forming the jacket.
- 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the open-cell synthetic foam is at least partly sealed by spraying a resinous material onto the foam in a controlled manner so that said resinous material partially penetrates the foam and when hardened the support columns of resinous material are formed.
- 8. The method of claim 5 wherein the open-cell synthetic foam has a fabric backing to help maintain the foam's dimensional stability when the resinous material is applied.
- 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the storage tank is made of a fiberglass reinforced resinous material.
- 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the storage tank has support ribs surrounding its circumference so as to withstand external forces when buried underground and the jacket substantially conforms to the contour of the storage tank.
- 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the storage tank is a metal tank having walls ranging in thickness of from about 0.10 inches to about 0.40 inches.
- 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the fibrous reinforcing material is fiberglass.
- 13. The method of claim 1 wherein the open-cell synthetic foam is a polyurethane foam or polyester foam.
- 14. The method of claim 1 wherein the open-cell synthetic foam is heat sealed.
Parent Case Info
This is a division of "Storage Tanks With Formed Jacket For, Secondary Containment", Ser. No. 07/165,153, filed Mar. 7, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,078, which is a continuation in-part of "Composite Storage Tanks With Secondary Containment" Ser. No. 06/853,974, filed Apr. 21, 1986 which is a continuation-in-part application of "Storage Tanks Having Formed Rigid Jacket for Secondary Containment", Ser. No. 06/824,680 filed Jan. 31 1986, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,653,312 which is a continuation in part of "Fiberglass Reinforced Resin Storage Tanks Having Secondary Containment" Ser. No. 06/745,540, filed June 17, 1985, now abandoned and a continuation in-part of "Storage Tanks Having Secondary Containment Means", Ser. No. 06/740 869. filed June 3, 1985, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,522, which is a continuation-in-part of "External Jacket System as Secondary Containment for Storage Tanks", Ser. No. 06/544,013, filed Oct. 21, 1983, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,454 and "Storage Tank Systems", filed Feb. 16, 1984, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,609, which is a continuation in-part of Ser. No. 06/544,012 filed Oct. 21, 1983, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (6)
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
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Parent |
165153 |
Mar 1988 |
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Continuation in Parts (6)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
853974 |
Apr 1986 |
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Parent |
824680 |
Jan 1986 |
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Parent |
745540 |
Jun 1985 |
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Parent |
544013 |
Oct 1983 |
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Parent |
580800 |
Feb 1984 |
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Parent |
544012 |
Oct 1983 |
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