Patent Application
20140037381
Liquid-containment systems are required in myriad industrial settings, particularly when there is a significant potential for the inadvertent and uncontrolled release of industrial waste to the environment. Typically, the currently available systems, such as Frac Tanks and in-ground pits, have proven to be overly difficult and time-consuming to erect, resulting in undesirable high costs and system unreliability.
Many industries, such as the oil & gas industry, require water storage facilities both clean and potentially contaminated—with minimal impact on local resources. Such undesirable impacts include degradation of small watersheds and streams, particularly with industrial waste water. In addition, many surface owner requirements include multiple land uses, including oil and gas development, and need minimal ground disturbance and resultant ground reclamation. A system that successfully addresses these issues will lead to faster regulatory permitting, completion, and reclamation. Moreover, such an above-ground, modular solution can enhance post-production land use.
What is needed is an easily portable industrial liquid-containment system that can easily be modified in the field for specific applications.
The present inventive concept is generally directed to a portable, modular, and dynamically sized and shaped, above-ground, industrial liquid-containment system, which, for ease of reference, will be hereafter referred to as the “Quick-Pit System”.
In a typical embodiment, the Quick-Pit System has an outer-containment perimeter and an inner-containment perimeter. The outer-containment perimeter is comprised of many removably coupled curb segments, each of which has a cross-section that has a substantially A-frame shape. The floor of the outer containment perimeter is continuously covered by liquid-impermeable sheeting; for example, HDPE liner systems. In some embodiments, the perimeter wall can be extended in height by installing curb-height extender segments on top of the ground-level curb segments, where the curb-height extender segments have a smaller angle than the ground-level curb segments. This outer perimeter containment system is described in great detail in Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Application No. PCT/US 11/50834, upon which the present patent application both claims the benefit of and incorporates by reference the entirety of.
The inner-containment perimeter is a liquid-containment pond or reservoir, sometimes referred to in the industry as a “swimming pool” in that it is designed to actually contain a substantial pool of water or other industrial liquid. A typical “swimming pool” is comprised of a plurality of substantially A-framed segments that are significantly taller than the outer-perimeter curb segments. In one embodiment, each A-frame is 7.5° wide, 9.5° deep, and 10′ high, though the components can be scaled up or down to better suit a particular application. In a variation, a hinge at the top of an A-frame segment allows the frame to fold together when the center and bottom braces are removed. In other embodiments, the “A”-frame segment wall frames are not hinged together and must be assembled together in the field. When the A-frame segment is in use, the center and bottom braces are held in place with pins. Once the frames are in compact/disassembled form, they can be easily transported and stored. Once assembled, the entire reservoir is continuously covered with liquid-impermeable sheeting; for example, HDPE liner systems.
In both the outer and inner perimeters, are embodiments of various specialized perimeter-corner designs. One corner design of particular significance depicts how two specially clipped segments come together and are anchored by a ground-level, T-shaped ballast member, wherein the ballast member can be filled with weighting material such as heavy metal, concrete, or even dirt. Other shapes of ballast members can also be used, such as a corner base frame and a ballast mid-wall member.
Another key point of novelty for the A-frame segments used for the “swimming pool” is in its lack of steel cladding up the water side of the A-frame, though in some variations, such rigid metal cladding can be used. Instead, proprietary fabric, plurality of straps, variable-sized welded wire mesh, and/or cargo netting is used (over which the liquid-impermeable sheeting is disposed). The fabric/straps/netting serves a dual purpose: It is not only light-weight, but it also grips the horizontal steel bars as the weight of the contained liquids exert downward force on the A-frame. As a result, the downward pressure of the contained liquid serves as ballast, holding down the A-frames.
In many embodiments, further holding the plurality of A-frame walls in place as more liquids are contained in the reservoir is a steel grid system/network running along the floor of the reservoir. The design of this system accommodates and spreads around expansion forces due to both temperature and water-weight. As the liquids push out against the reservoir walls, the grid system transfers tension to the adjacent wall. The tension causes the network of metal bars/rods/straps/strand tendons/cables/ties (in one embodiment, a plurality of ¾″×5″ steel straps) to expand over the length and width of the pit. Although the expansion is minimal (typically 2″ over 400′), the system allows the pit/swimming pool to expand and contract safely as it is emptied and filled, minimizing the chances of breaches into the environment. In addition, a plurality of specially designed “hub” members are installed at every point where grid strapping intersects each other, and allow for expansion by letting the perpendicular steel straps slide past each other with minimal or no friction. In a typical installation, the grid system is assembled using pins to connect grid bars/straps/cables with the hub assemblies. At the perimeter of the reservoir, grid bars connect to the bottom brace of an A-frame member with pins in the same manner in which they connect to the hubs.
In other embodiments, the grid network uses strapping in lieu of the metal grid rods in order to better compensate for stretching stresses felt as the liquid levels go up. The network of strapping can be comprised of many different materials to this end; for example, among the candidate materials that can be used are Zylon®, Dyneema®, Williams® strand cable, or a similar substitute strand cable. In some embodiments, epoxy is also used in conjunction with the strapping to enhance the structural characteristics.
In still more embodiments, a plurality of adjacent reservoirs can be set up wherein the grid work in some cases extends on both sides of a substantially A-framed segment that happens to form the boundary of two separate reservoirs.
However, it should be noted by those ordinarily skilled in the art that in some alternate embodiments, a reservoir boundary need not be defined by substantially A-framed segments to enjoy the benefits of the pool-floor grid network. Rather, the grid network can be coupled to the base of basically any modular industrial-liquid reservoir's elongated perimeter-boundary segments (e.g., rigid straight wall, rectangular box-shaped, etc.) for to aid in compensating for the forces associated with increased reservoir liquid levels and/or temperature.
In another embodiment, a utility platform, substantially A-framed and much larger than the A-frame segments the define the perimeter of the pool/pit, is erected over a point of the pool/pit perimeter in order to provide a path for running suction hoses and other equipment into the reservoir without such equipment laying on the A-framed perimeter, possibly causing a breach in the liquid-impermeable sheeting draped over the A-frame segments.
The Quick Pits System can be configured in the field to form industrial-liquid-containment ponds of varying shapes and sizes. In some embodiments, the capacity of the ponds range from 100,000 barrels to 1 million barrels. By being able to quickly and reliably assemble industrial-liquid-containment systems at user-defined sites, many of the typical costs and risks realized by operators of industrial sites that create waste water or other industrial liquids are minimized. By creating large modifiable containment ponds in the field at central locations, expenses associated with trucking, tank rentals, pumping, excavation, reclamation, and other equipment and operating costs are lowered and in some cases eliminated (for example, by having above-ground containment ponds, the need for permitting is eliminated in many jurisdictions. The Quick-Pits System can be readily adapted for use with frac fluids, fresh water, flow-back water, produced water, hydrocarbon liquids, mining waste water, water and sewage treatment plants, agriculture waste ponds, and aqua-culture.
In a typical embodiment of the Quick-Pit System, the components employed use 40% less space than that required for frac tanks and other similar alternative systems in the art, and thus the Quick-Pit System requires less transportation overhead. The Quick-Pit System eliminates the need for perimeter fencing, eliminates the need for pit excavation, and in general significantly reduces the environmental footprint required to set up and use as compared to the systems currently used in the art. For example, there is no need for holding tank cleaning, less buildup of H2S and other undesirable substances is realized, fewer personnel are required to setup and manage the system, the components are fully reusable and easily stack and store together, and the overall operating cost is typically 50% to 70% less than current industrial-liquid containment systems already in the art.
The terms and phrases as indicated in quotes (“ ”) in this section are intended to have the meaning ascribed to them in this Terminology section applied to them throughout this document, including the claims, unless clearly indicated otherwise in context. Further, as applicable, the stated definitions are to apply, regardless of the word or phrase's case, to the singular and plural variations of the defined word or phrase.
The term “or”, as used in this specification and the appended claims, is not meant to be exclusive; rather, the term is inclusive, meaning “either or both”.
References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “a preferred embodiment”, “an alternative embodiment”, “a variation”, “one variation”, and similar phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” and/or “in one variation” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all meant to refer to the same embodiment.
The term “couple” or “coupled”, as used in this specification and the appended claims, refers to either an indirect or a direct connection between the identified elements, components, or objects. Often the manner of the coupling will be related specifically to the manner in which the two coupled elements interact.
The term “removable”, “removably coupled”, “readily removable”, “readily detachable”, and similar terms, as used in this patent application specification (including the claims and drawings), refer to structures that can be uncoupled from an adjoining structure with relative ease (i.e., non-destructively and without a complicated or time-consuming process) and that can also be readily reattached or coupled to the previously adjoining structure.
Directional and/or relational terms such as, but not limited to, left, right, nadir, apex, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, back, front, and lateral are relative to each other, are dependent on the specific orientation of an applicable element or article, are used accordingly to aid in the description of the various embodiments, and are not necessarily intended to be construed as limiting.
As applicable, the terms “about” or “generally”, as used herein unless otherwise indicated, means a margin of ±20%. Also, as applicable, the term “substantially” as used herein unless otherwise indicated means a margin of ±10%. It is to be appreciated that not all uses of the above terms are quantifiable such that the referenced ranges can be applied.
The term “substantially A-frame shaped” and similar terms, as used herein unless otherwise indicated, means any structure with two main walls or frame-like structures that are oriented/angled such that the tops of the main walls/frames approach the other at or near an apex, while the bottoms edges of those main walls/frames are farther apart, causing the formation of the arch of an “A” as viewed from the end of the structure. It should be noted that in some cases there can be space located between the top edges of the two main walls/frames and still be considered “substantially A-frame shaped”, so long as the angles of the main walls/frames, if extended, would still intersect. Similarly, there may be a planar surface disposed between the two main walls/frames and the structure would still be considered “substantially A-frame shaped”.
The terms “pool”, “pond”, “reservoir”, and “pit”, as used herein unless otherwise indicated, refer to a man-made repository for industrial liquids or water, and are often used interchangeably herein, unless otherwise indicated.
The terms “tie-bar”, “rods”, “straps”, “strand tendons”, and “cables”, and similar terms, when used in discussions about a grid network disposed about the enclosed reservoir floor, serve largely the same function in said grid networks and are often used interchangeably herein, unless otherwise indicated.
The terms “restorably collapsible”, “resettably stackable”, and similar terms, as used herein unless otherwise indicated, refers to a property of an industrial-liquid-containment perimeter structure member that can be collapsed into a smaller storable and transportable member without having to completely disassemble said structure member. An example is a substantially A-framed segment that comprised much of a perimeter boundary in one embodiment of a liquid-containment reservoir, wherein the substantially A-framed segments are hinged near or at the apex of the segments to facilitate their collapsibility into a flat profile once the interior structural bracing between the two main walls is removed. However, other forms of restorable collapsibility are intended to be included in this definition, so long as the “restorable collapsibility” ensures that a given member can be reduced in storage volume without requiring complete disassembly of the member. See, for example, the alternate A-framed embodiment shown in
Refer to
Refer to
In some embodiments, the segments are about 7.5 ft. wide, 9.5 ft. deep, and 10 ft. high with ground rails adapted to allow for the locking of segments 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D together, though the segment sizes and associated hardware can be scaled up or down to better suit any given industrial application. While in many embodiments, the segments are substantially A-framed, often in a hinged 25 collapsible design, in other embodiments of the Quick-Pits System, the plurality of segments need not be substantially A-frame-shaped to enjoy all of the novel benefits of the Quick-Pits System, such as the grid network 30 disposed within the pool/pond, and which is discussed more in detail infra. In still other embodiments, the segments 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D are provided in five-ft. increments to better support an effective modular design for transport and assembly in the field. While the angles for the generally A-framed structure of the perimeter segments 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D can vary while still allowing the system to be effective, in a typical embodiment, the two primary load-bearing sides of the substantially A-framed segments 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D (which also can have a narrow, flat upper surface in some variations) are angled at an approximately 60-degrees relative to each other.
In an embodiment, a secondary (outer) liquid-containment reservoir perimeter 50, 50A, 55 is set up to provide an extra level of environmental security, wherein the liquid-retention pond 10A, 10B is constructed within the secondary (outer) liquid-containment perimeter 50, 50A. This secondary (outer) liquid-containment boundary 50, 50A comprises a plurality of formed substantially A-framed (or inverted-V) curb segments (which can be formed or stamped from light-weight metal, such as aluminum, steel, plastic, rubber, wood products, or fiberglass) defines a vertical boundary to provide liquid containment. A layer or membrane (sheet(s)) of liquid-impermeable material is disposed over the intended first reservoir surface and extends over all of the first-perimeter A-framed segments. An example of a suitable liquid-impermeable material that can be used for this purpose is XR-3® PW by Seaman Corporation or other comparable polymeric sheet material that is liquid impermeable and stable in an outdoor environment; e.g., chlorosulfonated polyethelene (CSPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or polypropylene). In many embodiments, sheets of liquid-impermeable material are thermoplastic-welded in the field to create a large covering for the entire first (outer) industrial-liquid-containment system. Often, in this basic configuration, the height of the containment segments is relatively low; e.g., two feet or less. This first (outer) industrial-liquid-containment system is described in great detail in Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Application No. PCT/US 11/50834, upon which the present patent application both claims the benefit of and incorporates by reference the entirety of. This double-perimeter configuration provides greatly enhanced system reliability for containing the industrial liquids.
In other embodiments, a primary liquid-holding reservoir 10A, 10B is disposed within the secondary liquid-containment boundary 50, 50A, in effect making the secondary liquid-holding reservoir into a backup containment for the primary liquid-holding reservoir 10A, 10B. In some variations, the substantially A-framed containment segments 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D are significantly higher than those of the outer secondary perimeter segments 50, 50A, and are constructed at the worksite in the field, where the basic A-frames, inter-A-frame struts, base rails and trusses, and outer load-bearing panels and such are put together. Spanning the across the intended primary containment pool 10A, 10B area, is a network of grid members 30 to help that ultimately help relieve the stresses imposed on the primary liquid-holding reservoir containment segments, thus enhancing wall integrity. (See, e.g.,
The A-frame walls 20 are held in place by a steel grid system 30 running along the floor of the pit. In embodiments, Quick-Pit Systems are engineered to accommodate expansion due to both temperature and water-weight. As the liquids push out against the pit walls 20, the grid system 30 transfers tension to the adjacent wall. The tension causes the grid bars/rods/straps/strand tendons/cables 32A, 32B, 33 (typically ¾″×5″ steel straps, in some variations) to expand over the length and/or width of the pit 10A, 10B. Although the expansion is minimal (2 in. over 400 ft.), the Quick-Pit System allows the pit to expand and contract safely as it is emptied and filled.
In variations, the hub members 31 used in the grid network 30 (see
In many variations, the grid system 30 is assembled using pins to connect grid bars/rods/straps/strand tendons/cables 32A, 32B with hubs 31. At the perimeter of the pit 20, grid tie-bars/rods/straps/strand tendons/cables 32A, 32B connect to the bottom brace of the perimeter segments 20 with pins in the same manner in which they connect to the hubs 31. In still more variations, one or more tie-bar slide pads 33, may be used to provide underlying vertical support of each tie-bar/rod/strap/strand tendon/cable 32A, 32B.
In some embodiments, this grid work 30 is installed using a plurality of interlocking steel rods or bars 32A, 32B. In other embodiments, strapping and/or cabling is used in lieu of metal grid rods/bars 32A, 32B in order to better compensate for stretching stresses felt as the liquid levels go up. The network of strapping/cabling 30 can be comprised of many different materials to this end; for example, among the candidate materials that can be used are Zylon®, Dyneema®, Williams® strand cable, or a similar substitute strand cable. In some embodiments, epoxy is also used in conjunction with the strapping/cabling to enhance the structural characteristics. In still more embodiments, a plurality of adjacent liquid-containment ponds 10A, 10B can be set up wherein the grid work 30 in some cases extends on both sides of a substantially A-framed segment 20 that happens to form the boundary 35 of two separate liquid-containment ponds.
However, it should be noted by those ordinarily skilled in the art that in some alternate embodiments, a reservoir boundary need not be defined by substantially A-framed segments 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D to enjoy the benefits of the pool-floor grid network 30. Rather, the grid network 30 can be coupled to the base of basically any modular industrial-liquid reservoir's elongated perimeter-boundary segments (e.g., rigid straight wall, rectangular box-shaped, etc.) for to aid in compensating for the forces associated with increased reservoir liquid levels and/or temperature. See, e.g.,
Over the grid network of tie-bars/rods/strapping/cabling is placed a layer or membrane (sheet(s)) of liquid-impermeable material is disposed over the intended first reservoir surface and extends over the primary perimeter A-framed segments 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, and the intervening first containment pool area. An example of a suitable liquid-impermeable material that can be used for this purpose is XR-3® PW by Seaman Corporation or other comparable polymeric sheet material that is liquid impermeable and stable in an outdoor environment; e.g., chlorosulfonated polyethelene (CSPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), or polypropylene.
In an alternate embodiment of the grid-network system, the plurality of relatively short tie-rod/bar/strap/cables and hub-assemblies (comprised of pads and cross-tie members) is completely replaced with a plurality of intersecting cables, each cable anchored on each end to an opposing point on the segmented reservoir perimeter wall. See
Refer to
In some embodiments, the A-frame segments 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D are clad in with structurally rigid and planar material (see, e.g.,
In a variation, a plurality of substantially A-frame segments 20 are positioned substantially end-to-end, although corners are formed as necessary such that the ends of said substantially A-frame segments 20 used to form a corner are proximal to each other (as opposed to end-to-end), in order to define a perimeter boundary for the industrial-liquid-containment pool 10A, 10B.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the corner substantially A-frame segments 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D are adapted to be detachably coupled to a ground-level rigid ballast member 15A, 15B, 15C, wherein the ballast member 15A, 15B, 15C is adapted to hold each of the corner substantially A-frame segments 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D of a mated pair of corner curb members 55B in position at said predetermined angle, depending on the designed shape and size of a perimeter boundary of an industrial-liquid-containment system. On the non-angled end of each corner substantially A-frame segments 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, the corner substantially A-frame segments 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D is positioned substantially end-to-end with an adjacent said elongated substantially A-frame segment 20 in order to help define a perimeter boundary around a user-defined industrial-liquid-containment pool. In still more variations, a ballast member 15A, 15B, 15C can is substantially made of a material selected from a group comprised of aluminum, precast concrete, aluminum alloy, steel, hard plastic, wood products, and/or fiberglass. Moreover, in still another embodiment, each ballast member 15A, 15B, 15C contains a weighting material to help anchor each ballast member 15A, 15B, 15C and its associated corner substantially A-frame segments 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D in place on the ground, and each ballast member 15A, 15B, 15C is weighted with a material selected from a group comprised of concrete, dirt, water, and/or metal. In still other variations, the ballast member 15A, 15B, 15C is a substantially solid member made of heavy metal, such as steel.
In some embodiments, the generally hollow A-framed containment segments 20, 20A, 20B, 20C (see, e.g.,
Refer to
Typical applications for the Quick-Pit System includes the oil & gas exploration industry, the mining industry, the water & sewage treatment industry, and the arigicultural industry, including holding systems for frac water and other waste water as a result of industrial operations, though it would be appreciated by anyone skilled in the art of managing industrial effluents and/or waste that the inventive disclosures provided herein provide a good option for managing industrial liquids. In other applications of the Quick-Pit System, portable, customizable ponds that can be used in support of fish-farming systems can be erected and used.
In other variations, the system described supra is embodied as a kit comprised of the specialized components described supra, wherein the kit is transported to a user-defined project site and the kit's components are used to assemble a customized industrial-liquid-containment system.
Moreover, methods of making said kits and industrial-liquid-containment systems by providing and using said specialized components and/or combination of components described herein are considered part of the inventive disclosure.
The uses for the myriad embodiments and variations described in Section III are many. All are intended to be encompassed by the disclosure herein. This section describes several exemplary methods of use of systems based on the embodiments and variations discussed in Section III.
In one method of using at least one kit for a portable, modular, in-field modifiable, liquid-containment system according to Section III, the method comprises the steps of:
This embodiment can be extended wherein the in-line control valves and pumping devices can be electrically controlled form a remote location relative to said industrial-liquid-containment reservoirs. Such remote electro-mechanical controls are well known in the art and are not shown in the figures.
Further still, this embodiment can be enhanced wherein the industrial-liquid-containment reservoirs 10a, 10B are centrally located relative to a plurality of satellite industrial complexes (not shown in the figures) that use clean water and/or generate potentially-contaminated industrial liquid waste, and wherein each of the plurality of satellite industrial complexes has at least one industrial-liquid storage system that is communicatively coupled to the at least one liquid-containment reservoirs 10A, 10B via a network of hoses and/or piping systems 62, including the in-line control valves and pumping devices. In such an enhancement, the method further comprises the steps of:
Another extension of this embodiment can be realized, wherein the industrial-liquid-containment reservoirs 10A, 10B are centrally located relative to a industrial-liquids truck load and offload station (not shown in the figures), the station communicatively coupled to the hoses and/or pipes 62 dedicated to removal and/or introduction of industrial liquids, and wherein the industrial-liquids truck load and offload station is adapted to receive an industrial truck for loading or offloading industrial liquids. The method in this extension further comprises the steps of:
In another extension of the above methods of using at least one kit for a portable, modular, in-field modifiable, liquid-containment system according to Section III, the industrial-liquid-containment reservoirs 10A, 10B are centrally located relative to a industrial-liquids purification system (not shown in the figures), the purification system communicatively coupled to each of a dedicated reservoir for clean-water and a reservoir dedicated for potentially contaminated industrial-waste water, the method further comprising the steps of:
In another method of using at least one kit for a portable, modular, in-field modifiable, liquid-containment system according to Section III, the method comprises the steps of:
This method can be further enhanced, by further comprising the step of leasing the kit to an end-user for a period of time. Similarly, in another enhancement, the method further comprises the step of selling the kit to an end-user.
Other methods of use of the Quick-Pits System can include the erection of one or more reservoirs for use in the oil & gas exploration industry for frac water, and the holding and management of effluent waste in the mining industry, though it would be appreciated by anyone skilled in the art of managing industrial effluents and/or waste that the inventive disclosures provided herein provide a good option for managing industrial liquids. In other applications of the Quick-Pit System, portable, customizable ponds that can be used in support of fish-farming systems can be erected and used. Moreover, the Quick-Pits System can be used by water & sewage treatment plants, agriculture-waste ponds, and in aqua-culture.
The various embodiments and variations thereof described herein, including the appended claims, and/or illustrated in the accompanying Figures are merely exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the inventive disclosure. It should be appreciated that numerous variations of the invention have been contemplated as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure.
Hence, those ordinarily skilled in the art will have no difficulty devising myriad obvious variations and improvements to the invention, all of which are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the description, claims, and figures herein.
The present patent application is related to, and has common inventorship and ownership with, U.S. Patent Application No. 61/381,168, filed on Sep. 9, 2010, for “Liquid Containment System”, and hereby incorporates by reference U.S. Patent Application No. 61/381,168 in its entirety for all purposes. The present patent application also claims the benefit of, and has common inventorship and ownership with, U.S. Patent Application No. 61/445,653, filed on Feb. 23, 2011, for “Modular, Dynamically Sized and Shaped, Industrial-Liquid-Containment System and Methods of Use”, and hereby incorporates by reference U.S. Patent Application No. 61/445,653 in its entirety for all purposes. The present patent application also claims the benefit of, and has common inventorship and ownership with, U.S. Patent Application No. 61/569,070, filed on Dec. 9, 2011, for “Modular, Dynamically Sized and Shaped, Industrial-Liquid-Containment System and Methods of Use”, and hereby incorporates by reference U.S. Patent Application No. 61/569,070 in its entirety for all purposes. The present patent application also claims the benefit of, and has common inventorship and ownership with, U.S. Patent Application No. 61/600,640, filed on Feb. 18, 2012, for “Modular, Dynamically Sized and Shaped, Industrial-Liquid-Containment System and Methods of Use”, and hereby incorporates by reference U.S. Patent Application No. 61/600,640 in its entirety for all purposes. Further, the present patent application also claims the benefit of, and has common inventorship and ownership with, Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Application No. PCT/US11/50834, filed on Sep. 8, 2011, for “Modular, Dynamically Sized and Shaped, Industrial-Liquid-Containment System and Methods of Use”, and hereby incorporates by reference PCT Application No. PCT/US 11/50834 in its entirety for all purposes.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2012/026190 | 2/22/2012 | WO | 00 | 8/30/2013 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61445653 | Feb 2011 | US | |
| 61569070 | Dec 2011 | US | |
| 61600640 | Feb 2012 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/US2011/050834 | Sep 2011 | US |
| Child | 14002560 | US |
