This invention relates to storage tanks for fluids such as chemicals, hydrocarbons, and water produced in hydrocarbon recovery operations, for non-limiting example. This invention also relates to temporary storage of such fluids.
In certain places in the United States having oil production, such as North Dakota, there are, at times, weight restrictions on vehicles using roadways that prevent transport of production fluids such as hydrocarbons and produced water across the roadways in standard transport vehicles such as tanker trucks (Class 7 and higher under US GVWR classifications). Currently, the solution during the times the restrictions are in place is to delay the production until the restrictions are removed and the produced fluids can be transported again. Such delays are costly, however, and a better solution is needed.
Construction and installation of storage tanks at a well-site to store produced fluids is an option that has been considered. However, installation of standard metal or fiberglass storage tanks is costly and time consuming and results in either too few tanks or tanks that go largely unused. Known temporary storage tanks have been considered, but those too fail to provide practical satisfactory storage solutions.
For example, WO International Patent Application Publication No. 2016/187653 of Dunsby et al teaches a transportable semi-permanent fluid storage apparatus but it requires mechanical assist for its complex on-site assembly and provides an open-air fluid container which is not useable for storing hydrocarbons, produced water, or potable water.
For another example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,957,104 of Hindbo teaches two temporary storage systems, one of which is a containment system for use by the oil industry for holding large volumes of water for fracking that uses a bladder supported by connectable or hinge-able panels that can be assembled and disassembled on site but the system provides no safety containment in the event the bladder structure leaks. Such a secondary containment is required by regulations related to storage of hydrocarbons and a number of other chemicals, and in certain locations, even water. The second system Hindo teaches is a silo like structure that requires heavy equipment, crews, tools, and costly time and assembly. Neither system satisfactorily meets industry needs.
A need continues to exist for temporary, safe, methods and apparatuses for storage of large quantities of fluids that are relatively low in cost and require minimal assembly and set-up for use.
The present invention provides a pre-assembled, self-contained, portable storage tank for storage of fluids or liquids that is low in cost, requires negligible or no assembly, and is simple and fast to set-up or deploy and to take down or prepare to store or redeploy. A crew of two to five persons can do it without need for digging a berm, without need of using a crane or a forklift to lift any part of the tank, and without need of assembling the tank beyond set-up procedures.
The storage tank comprises a collapsible and refillable bladder for receiving and storing the fluids or liquids and a secondary containment capable of holding 120% more fluids or liquids than the bladder. The bladder has or includes input and output connections or conduits associated with valves for configuring and controlling the flow of liquid into and out of and optionally even within the bladder.
When the tank is in use, the secondary containment is positioned beneath and at least partially along the sides of the bladder so as to contain any or all liquid from the bladder during any leakage from the bladder. An expandable and retractable frame holds or supports the bladder and the secondary containment. When the tank is not in use, the frame, secondary containment and the bladder can be folded or rolled back into a control mechanism housing for compact storage and transport. In preferred embodiments, the tank size does not require a permitted load, and does not exceed standard width, or weight restrictions for public roadways.
At least one electric winch, powered by at least one battery, backed up by a solar panel, can at least partially automate or otherwise assist with the unfolding, folding, rolling, unrolling, or storing, and optionally even draining of, the bladder or the secondary containment.
In one embodiment, the tank weighs less than 9000 lbs. When the tank is closed, for storage during non-use or transport, a control mechanism housing contains the winch(es), solar panel, one or more batteries, the bladder, secondary containment, and frame. In this closed position, the tank is sufficiently compact, for example, that in one embodiment it can be transported to a site for use by a class 1 to class 3 truck, such as a common light body pickup truck such as a Ford F-250 with an accompanying trailer.
The present invention also provides a method for temporary storage of backflow fluids during a fracking operation at a well site for enhanced recovery of hydrocarbons. The method comprises deploying near the well site the pre-assembled, self-contained, portable storage tank of the invention. Once deployed, the tank is connected to the flowline receiving the backflow fluids and the backflow fluids are allowed to flow or drain into the tank.
In the drawings a more detailed and complete appreciation of the present invention and various advantages can be realized by reference to the detailed description that will accompany the drawings in which:
The present invention provides rapidly deploying storage solutions for a litany of fluid products such as chemicals, hydrocarbons, produced water, potable water, and other liquid and liquid-like products. While advantageous for temporary storage, the solutions allowed by the invention can be used for as long as needed, in the field, in a wide range of weather conditions, effectively in whatever above-ground locations humans may find themselves in need of storing large quantities of liquids, such as, for example, 1,200 BBLS.
One example of such a need is in oil producing locations that prohibit transport of oil tankers across roads during certain times of the year when the weight of the tankers would damage the infrastructure of the roads, such as in North Dakota during Fall, Summer and Spring. The present invention allows produced oil, produced water, or other associated fluids to be stored in the field until the roads are usable by tankers, without a need to stop the production during various times throughout the Fall, Summer or Spring months, even when the most restrictive weight restrictions are in effect, at a significant cost savings to the oil production companies.
Another example of such a need in oil producing locations is where large quantities of produced flowback water from enhanced recovery operations such as fracking must be stored. And still another example of such a need in oil producing locations is where large quantities of fresh water, or water treated with chemicals to support enhanced recovery operations such as fracking must be stored. In such operations in both of these examples, the need for storage is temporary and relatively short-lived, a need that the present invention fills quickly and economically.
While the utility of the present invention is quickly appreciated in the oil industry, the utility is not limited to that industry. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate many other uses. For example, temporary storage of large quantities of potable water can be needed in cases of emergencies affecting existing water supplies in communities affected by natural disasters such as flooding or earthquakes. For another example, temporary storage of large quantities of fire fighting chemicals or water can be needed in areas anticipating impending need for fighting approaching wildfires. The storage tank of the invention is also useful for providing temporary or permanent storage of chemicals, hydrocarbons, or other fluids during cleaning of permanent, traditional style metal tanks.
The storage solutions of the present invention are accomplished with a self-contained, pre-assembled, portable fluid storage tank with a flexible fluid storage bladder and secondary containment system capable of holding twenty percent more fluid than the storage bladder. In most embodiments, this storage tank of the invention weighs less than 9,000 pounds so that one truck driver without need for a commercial license can economically move, or transport, the storage tank from place to place.
The tank of the invention is not only sufficiently light in weight but also when closed is sufficiently small in size that it can be transported by a class 1 to class 3 truck, such as for example, a common light body pickup truck such as a Ford F-250 with an accompanying trailer, on common public streets, roadways, and highways, as well as on private roads, and unloaded from the truck, or trailer being pulled by the truck (and later reloaded onto the truck or trailer), at a field site without need for a crane, forklift or specialized unloading equipment. In one embodiment, for example, the storage tank of the invention is about 32 feet long, 8 feet 9 inches wide, and 8 feet 9 inches tall in the closed position. When opened and put in use, this same storage tank can hold 1200 BBLS or 53,400 Gallons. The tank of the invention can typically be deployed for use with a minimum crew of one to five persons in less than about 20 to 120 minutes. Smaller and larger storage tanks can be made with the same features and elements described herein to also have the advantages of the present invention.
The tank of the invention can also be quickly and easily collapsed and made ready for transport and redeployment elsewhere, typically with a minimum crew of one to five persons in less than about 20 to 120 minutes after the tank is drained. The time required for draining the tank will vary with size of the bladder, and the quantity and viscosity of liquids contained in it, but the tank has multiple drainage locations to speed drainage when desired. Moreover, complete or nearly complete drainage of the tank is reasonably practical with the present invention.
Referring to
Upon arrival, a receiving crew of one to five persons prepares the storage tank for use. A larger crew may be used, if desired, although usually as few as two persons or even one person can reasonably prepare the storage tank for use, although the more persons in the crew the faster the set-up, within reasonable limits. Since the storage tank of the invention is pre-assembled and self-contained, preparing it for use entails only a few set-up procedures.
A pin or other latch or holder (not shown, but understood by one of ordinary skill in the art) for keeping the sides of the frame 16 and the bladder 12 and the secondary containment 14 within the control mechanism housing 18, is removed, released, and/or opened so that the receiving crew can pull the frame 16 out, as in
An optional skin 39, comprised of a light weight material, such as, for example, aluminum, can be used on the outside of the frame 16 to prevent wind from removing the secondary containment 14 during use, and to further protect the control mechanism housing 18 and its contents from flying debris on roadways during transport.
As in
Next the receiving crew unrolls the bladder 12 out from the control mechanism housing 18 and onto the secondary containment 14 lying on the frame 16, as in
The receiving crew then inserts, attaches, or connects one or more hoses or other conduits (and/or manifolds) 20 [see
The storage tank 10 of the invention has included with it manifold connections, valves, drains, and a standpipe for venting so as to ease deployment of the storage tank on site for use. In one embodiment, central valve or drain 29 is comprised of a valve system capable of connecting all drains such as drain 25. For example, twelve valves in the system would connect six drains on the bladder. This valve or drain 29 can have ball valve connections that open and close without release of air to the environment (for environmental protection purposes). Further, such valve or drain 29 valve system can be equipped with an optional pollution control pot or fitted with a back-up containment to prevent spillage of liquids when hoses are connected or disconnected. Such valves are welded to the housing, and can be attached to the hoses using standard NPT threading or unionid.
The storage tank 10 of the invention is then ready to receive fluid or liquid into bladder 12. Such fluid may be pumped into the storage tank or drained into the storage tank, depending on the source of the fluid. For example, for use of the storage tank 10 in holding flowback water from fracking operations, or from standard oilfield production, a hose or other conduit (or manifold) 20 could be connected (directly or indirectly) to the flowline from the wellhead, or from the oilfield tank battery if one exists. For another example, for use of the storage tank 10 in holding oil or water from flowback operations, a hose or other conduit (or manifold) 20 could be connected (directly or indirectly) to the flowline from the wellhead, before an oilfield tank battery has been constructed. An advantage of the bladder 12 of storage tank 10 is that it can be filled closer to nominal capacity than all-metal storage tanks.
The storage tank 10 has multiple corner drains 25 and central drains 29 as shown in
Straps 35 can also be used with winch 21 in deploying for use and retracting for storage and transport the bladder 12 and the secondary containment 14. Straps 35 are, in one embodiment, comprised of a web of nylon or other synthetic capable of handling the weight the winch 21 can pull, which in the embodiment illustrated is typically about 16 thousand pounds. The straps 35 can be heat melted to the bladder 12 or the secondary containment 14 via a fabric patch, in such way that if it were torn it would not compromise the integrity of the bladder or secondary containment.
Once drained, storage tank 10 can be made ready for transport to another site effectively reversing the set-up procedure described above. Any pin or other latch or holder holding the frame in place is removed. All valves (not shown) associated with corner drains 25 and/or central drains 29 are closed, standpipe 27 is closed, and the bladder 12 is rolled back up or folded (manually and/or with winch 21) and stored in control mechanism housing 18. In one embodiment, the edges 17 of secondary containment 14 are released from the sides 19 of frame 16, and the secondary containment 14 is pulled back and folded, as shown in
Referring to
The description and Figures herein generally show that bladder 12 extends from both sides of control mechanism housing 18, and in deployment is rolled out from both sides of the control mechanism housing 18. In such case, bladder 12 may be one large bladder, with half on one side of the control mechanism housing 18 and the other half on the other side of the control mechanism housing 18, as shown in
Bladder 12 is associated with a secondary containment 14. In one embodiment, secondary containment 14 is capable of containing 20 percent more liquid than bladder 12. The secondary containment 14 is comprised of a natural or synthetic rubberized fabric, soft plastic, para-aramid or aramid synthetic fiber, or other flexible and substantially impenetrable material with strength and toughness, and in one embodiment is comprised of the same kind of material as the bladder 12. In one embodiment, bladder 12 lies atop secondary containment 14, as shown in
Frame 16 holds and supports secondary containment 14 and bladder 12 while in use, as shown in
The control mechanism housing 18 has an aluminum, steel or metal alloy base or skid 22 that enables the storage tank 10 to be suited for light or medium duty truck transport on public and private roads. As shown in the Figures, control mechanism housing 18 also has a top 31, a housing frame 37, and partial side ends 33, leaving the control mechanism housing 18 partially open. In another embodiment, control mechanism housing 18 is or can be completely closed, with sides and side ends extending from the base 22 to the top 31. Side ends 33 and top 31 are comprised of aluminum, steel, or metal alloy, in one embodiment. In another embodiment, side ends 33 could alternatively be comprised of a lighter weight material such as a strong synthetic composition.
As discussed above, when not in use, and for transport, bladder 12 and secondary containment 14 can be rolled or folded into the control mechanism housing 18, and frame 16 can also be collapsed or folded back into the control mechanism housing 18, as shown in
An operator uses hoses or other similar conduits or manifold 20 and connectors known to those of ordinary skill in the art to connect the storage tank 10 to the source of the fluid to be received into and retained in the storage tank 10. Such source can be any vessel or container that needs to be emptied, fluid hauling truck, tank, well or pump from any source that can send liquid or fluid to bladder 12 until filled. Liquid or fluid can remain in storage tank 10 until such time as the liquid or fluid can be transported to a desired destination or pumped out via a truck, pipeline or other apparatus.
Storage tank 10 of the invention provides very light weight and rapidly deploying fluid containment and secondary containment of fluids or liquids where weight, size, or footprint are an issue, or where permanent rigid tanks are impractical, cost prohibitive or unnecessary.
The storage tank of the invention and its rapid deployment system is the only uniquely designed non-rigid storage product that, due to its high portability and low weight design, allows for a tank of significant size to be transported across highways, county roads, or other roads that are under the most restrictive of weight restrictions due to weather, Spring or Fall frost, or other applicable weight restrictions. The storage tank of the invention has significantly less weight when combined with the trailer than similar sized steel or metal tanks. The storage tank of the invention can also be deployed without the use of a crane, unlike steel or other tanks of similar size, and without need to dig and maintain a berm or secondary containment.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that other various changes, adaptations and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. Furthermore, it should be understood that the appended claims do not necessarily comprise the broadest scope of the invention which the applicant is entitled to claim, or the only manner(s) in which the invention may be claimed.
This patent application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/821,957, filed Mar. 21, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2020/024089 | 3/21/2020 | WO |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2020/191388 | 9/24/2020 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2690778 | Walsh | Oct 1954 | A |
2749956 | Eldred | Jun 1956 | A |
2915097 | Lewis | Dec 1959 | A |
4121389 | Ptaszek | Oct 1978 | A |
6609863 | Morioka | Aug 2003 | B1 |
6758361 | Hunt | Jul 2004 | B2 |
7188747 | Bennett | Mar 2007 | B2 |
7299513 | Barrett | Nov 2007 | B1 |
7360784 | Stewart | Apr 2008 | B2 |
8365937 | Lovelace | Feb 2013 | B2 |
8434638 | McKenzie | May 2013 | B2 |
8746478 | Claeys | Jun 2014 | B2 |
9157205 | Novotny | Oct 2015 | B1 |
9284113 | Corbeil | Mar 2016 | B2 |
9403640 | Crain | Aug 2016 | B1 |
9586753 | Hanson | Mar 2017 | B2 |
9757665 | Warner | Sep 2017 | B2 |
9957104 | Hindbo | May 2018 | B2 |
10518967 | Claeys | Dec 2019 | B2 |
10577177 | Harvey | Mar 2020 | B2 |
10717596 | Archer, Jr. | Jul 2020 | B1 |
20120138630 | Kinsey, III | Jun 2012 | A1 |
20130186890 | Moody | Jul 2013 | A1 |
20130319552 | Svarczkopf | Dec 2013 | A1 |
20140166649 | Hoopes | Jun 2014 | A1 |
20150096980 | Laing | Apr 2015 | A1 |
20150166260 | Pham | Jun 2015 | A1 |
20160229626 | Claeys | Aug 2016 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20220153516 A1 | May 2022 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62821957 | Mar 2019 | US |