TANK PANELS AND TANKS FORMED THEREFROM
A portable steel tank panel that interlocks with additional structures (e.g., other tank panels and/or removable hinges) to form a temporary aboveground fluid storage structure is described.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/632,355, entitled “Steel Insulated Hinged Tank Panels for Large Diameter Storage Tanks” and filed on Jan. 23, 2012; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/604,765, entitled “Tank Panels and Tanks Formed Therefrom” and filed on Feb. 29, 2012; U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/625,714, entitled “Flexible Tank Panel” and filed on Apr. 18, 2012; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/645,245, entitled “Rounded Tank Panels and Tanks Formed Therefrom” and filed on May 10, 2012, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELDEmbodiments relate generally to storage tanks, and, more particularly, to tank panels and portable, temporary, aboveground, fluid storage tanks assembled from the tank panels.
BACKGROUNDHydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” is a process in which pressurized fluids fracture rock layers in order to release fossil fuels for extraction and recovery. Wellbore locations vary with rock formations, and temporary fluid storage near the wellbore's position is necessary. Water, which is used in hydraulic fracturing, is stored in “frac tanks” of various sizes and capacities. A need may exist to provide portable, temporary fluid storage tanks that can be configured to a variety of shapes and sizes.
Embodiments were conceived in light of the above-mentioned problems and needs, among other things.
SUMMARYOne embodiment includes a portable steel panel, which can be used to build temporary aboveground fluid storage tanks of a variety of sizes. The assembled tanks can be utilized during hydraulic fracturing procedures and other processes that need convenient large capacity fluid storage.
An embodiment can include an interlocking, hinged, optionally insulated, steel tank panel system that can be used to assemble temporary aboveground storage tanks.
An embodiment can be portable, temporary fluid storage tanks that can be assembled at any location or environment, and provide a temporary solution for fluid storage and liquid management.
One embodiment, includes a portable steel tank panel that interlocks with additional structures (e.g., other tank panels and/or removable hinges) to form a temporary aboveground fluid storage structure.
An embodiment can include a tank panel system including a panel having a flexible body section, a first endplate, a second endplate, a plurality of first panel pins, and a plurality of second panel pins, and a plurality of removable hinges each including a first side and a second side, wherein the first side and second side can be configured to be removably attached to a panel pin.
The panel can further include a lift point. The flexible body section can be formed of steel. The plurality of first panel pins can include a first group of panel pins each spaced a first distance apart and a second group of panel pins each spaced a second distance apart. The first distance can be larger than the second distance. The panel can further include an insulation coating applied to a surface of the panel.
Some implementations can include a tank panel system having a panel with a lower shell plate, an upper shell plate, a first endplate, a second endplate, a plurality of first panel pins, a plurality of second panel pins, a top pipe, and a bottom tube. The system can also include a plurality of removable hinges.
The panel can further include a lift point having a first lifting section tube, a second lifting section tube, a first lifting bar, a second lifting bar. The panel can include a plurality of stiffeners disposed on an inside area formed between a first wall of the panel and a second wall of the panel.
The plurality of first panel pins can include a first group of panel pins each spaced a first distance apart and a second group of panel pins each spaced a second distance apart. The first distance can be larger than the second distance. The panel can further include an insulation coating applied to a surface of the panel.
Some implementations can include a fluid tank having a plurality of panels joined together by a plurality of removable hinges at each joint between adjacent panels. Each panel can include a flexible body section, a first endplate, a second endplate, a plurality of first panel pins, and a plurality of second panel pins. Each panel can include a lower shell plate, an upper shell plate, a first endplate, a second endplate, a plurality of first panel pins, a plurality of second panel pins, a top pipe, and a bottom tube. The tank can include a first connecting member disposed between a first pair of panels and connected to the first pair of panels via a first group of removable hinges and a second group of removable hinges. The tank can also include a second connecting member disposed between a second pair of panels and connected to the second pair of panels via a third group of removable hinges and a fourth group of removable hinges. The tank can further include at least one brace member joining the first connecting member to the second connecting member via rotational joints.
The brace member can include a first brace member joining a top portion of the first connecting member to a top portion of the second connecting member and a second brace member joining a bottom portion of the first connecting member to a bottom portion of the second connecting member. The panels can be configured to form the fluid tank into an angled shape.
The tank panel 102 can include the top pipe 116 to provide a more round shape for a liner to be placed over. Also, the top pipe 116 may be more flexible than the bottom tube 118, which may need to be stiffer due to the distribution of hydrostatic loads.
The first panel pins 112 are disposed on the first endplate 108. The second panel pins 114 are disposed on the second endplate 110. Each of the first panel pins 112 includes two holes through the panel pin. Each of the plurality of second panel pins 114 includes one hole through the panel pin.
The lower shell plate 104 and the upper shell plate 106 can be made of different materials and/or have different dimensions. For example, the lower shell plate 104 can be a plate about ½ an inch thick. The upper shell plate 106 can be a plate about ¼ of an inch thick. The lower shell plate 104 and the upper shell plate 106 can be made of steel, a composite material (e.g., carbon fiber, fiberglass, or the like) or other suitable material. The panel 102, and associated components, can be fabricated as a single unit from structural steel, or other suitable material, and can vary in height, width and length. Optionally, an insulation material, such as spray-on foam, can be applied to the panel 102. The foam insulation coating can also optionally have an exterior coating applied to help prevent UV or other damage to the foam.
The first panel pins 112 can be spaced a first distance apart on a portion of the first endplate 108 adjacent to the lower shell plate 104 and spaced a second distance apart on a portion of the first endplate 108 adjacent to the upper shell plate 106. For example, the first panel pins 112 may be spaced about 1′ 1″ apart adjacent to the lower shell plate 106 and may be spaced about 2 feet apart adjacent to the upper shell plate 104.
The first lifting section tube 120, the second lifting section tube 122, the first lifting bar 124 and the second lifting bar 126 form a lift point (or grappling device) for gripping the panel 102 with a machine for moving the panel 102 to construct a tank from a plurality of panels 102. The panel 102 can be lifted up and moved with the mechanical grappling device, which is designed to accommodate being placed in position by a crane or other lifting machine, which may include a grappling claw of a fork lift or lull.
Each of the removable hinges 128 can be connected to one of the first panel pins on a panel and to one of the second panel pins on an adjacent panel. The removable hinges can be secured in place with a hinge retaining pin that is placed through a hole in a respective one of the panel pins.
A group of panels 102 can be fastened (or connected) together using the removable hinges 128 to form a tank having hinged joints at the junction where two panels meet. The group of interconnected panels 102 can be assembled to form a temporary aboveground fluid storage tank. The interconnected tank panel system disclosed herein permits creation of multiple tank configurations, diameters and volumes according to a contemplated use. Also, by using panels, a tank can be shipped as components (e.g., panels, hinges and liner) and assembled on site.
Referring now to
The tank panel unit 300 also includes a plurality of removable hinges 310 mounted on panel pins 312. As discussed above, each removable hinge can be mounted on a first panel pin protruding from the first tank panel endplate 306 and a second panel pin protruding from the second tank panel endplate 308. Each panel pin 312 includes at least one hole to accommodate a hinge retaining pin (not shown). The removable hinges 310 may be spaced unevenly along the tank panel edge, for example, more closely at a bottom of the panel 318 and further apart at a top of the panel 316.
The tank's shape is based, in part, on the number of panels 402 used. As an assembled tank is filled with water, the panels flex and may seek an essentially round configuration. The hinged joint can help reduce or prevent moment stress at joints between adjacent panels and can transfer stress as tension along the length of the panels. Thus, a tank made from a group panels can be relatively light and flexible and can also contain large volumes of fluid, depending on the number of panels used to build the tank.
An embodiment can provide a portable, temporary fluid storage tank that can be assembled on location in various environments, and can provide a temporary solution for fluid storage and liquid management. Also, the tank panels can optionally have an insulating material applied to an interior or exterior side to help the tank retain heat in order to avoid having the liquid in the tank freeze in cold climates.
Removable hinges 608 can be connected to the sides of tank panels, which allows a plurality of panels 602 to be fastened together with a hinged joint to form a tank. The panel 602 can be lifted up and moved with the mechanical grappling device 610, which is designed to accommodate being placed in position by a crane or other lifting machine, which may include a grappling claw of a fork lift or lull. A group of interlocking panels 602 can be assembled to form a temporary aboveground fluid storage tank. The interlocking tank panel system disclosed herein permits creation of multiple tank configurations, diameters and volumes according to a contemplated use of an embodiment.
The panel 602, and associated components, can be fabricated as a single unit from structural steel and can vary in height, width and length.
Referring now to
A group of interlocking panels 602 are assembled to form a temporary aboveground storage tank system 600, which can support a waterproof and leak-proof liner 602 system. The liner 602 is placed in the tank following the assembly of the panels 602 and the tank can be filled with water or other fluids.
The tank panel unit 800 also includes a plurality of removable hinges 810 mounted on boss members 812. Each removable hinge can be removably mounted on a first boss protruding from the first tank panel hinge bracket 806 and a second boss protruding from the second tank panel hinge bracket 808. Each boss 812 includes a hole 814 to accommodate a locking pin (not shown).
The removable hinges 810 may be spaced unevenly along the tank panel edge, for example, more closely at a bottom of the panel 818 and further apart at a top of the panel 816.
The tank's unique shape, which is formed by a system of interlocking panels 902 as described above, allows the tank to contain large volumes of fluid.
It is, therefore, apparent that there is provided, in accordance with the various embodiments disclosed herein, tank panels and tanks made from the tank panels.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with a number of embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly, Applicant intends to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that are within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A tank panel system comprising:
- a panel having a flexible body section, a first endplate, a second endplate, a plurality of first panel pins, and a plurality of second panel pins; and
- a plurality of removable hinges each including a first side and a second side, wherein the first side and second side are configured to be removably attached to a panel pin.
2. The tank panel system of claim 1, wherein the panel further includes a lift point.
3. The tank panel system of claim 1, wherein the flexible body section is formed of steel.
4. The tank panel system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first panel pins includes a first group of panel pins each spaced a first distance apart and a second group of panel pins each spaced a second distance apart.
5. The tank panel system of claim 1, wherein the first distance is larger than the second distance.
6. The tank panel system of claim 1, wherein the panel further includes an insulation coating applied to a surface of the panel.
7. A tank panel system comprising:
- a panel having a lower shell plate, an upper shell plate, a first endplate, a second endplate, a plurality of first panel pins, a plurality of second panel pins, a top pipe, and a bottom tube; and
- a plurality of removable hinges.
8. The tank panel system of claim 7, wherein the panel further includes a lift point having a first lifting section tube, a second lifting section tube, a first lifting bar, a second lifting bar.
9. The tank panel system of claim 7, wherein the panel includes a plurality of stiffeners disposed on an inside area formed between a first wall of the panel and a second wall of the panel.
10. The tank panel system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of first panel pins includes a first group of panel pins each spaced a first distance apart and a second group of panel pins each spaced a second distance apart.
11. The tank panel system of claim 10, wherein the first distance is larger than the second distance.
12. The tank panel system of claim 7, wherein the panel further includes an insulation coating applied to a surface of the panel.
13. A fluid tank comprising:
- a plurality of panels joined together by a plurality of removable hinges at each joint between adjacent panels.
14. The fluid tank of claim 13, wherein each panel includes a flexible body section, a first endplate, a second endplate, a plurality of first panel pins, and a plurality of second panel pins.
15. The fluid tank of claim 13, wherein each panel includes a lower shell plate, an upper shell plate, a first endplate, a second endplate, a plurality of first panel pins, a plurality of second panel pins, a top pipe, a bottom tube.
16. The fluid tank of claim 14, further comprising:
- a first connecting member disposed between a first pair of panels and connected to the first pair of panels via a first group of removable hinges and a second group of removable hinges;
- a second connecting member disposed between a second pair of panels and connected to the second pair of panels via a third group of removable hinges and a fourth group of removable hinges; and
- at least one brace member joining the first connecting member to the second connecting member via rotational joints.
17. The fluid tank of claim 15, further comprising:
- a first connecting member disposed between a first pair of panels and connected to the first pair of panels via a first group of removable hinges and a second group of removable hinges;
- a second connecting member disposed between a second pair of panels and connected to the second pair of panels via a third group of removable hinges and a fourth group of removable hinges; and
- at least one brace member joining the first connecting member to the second connecting member.
18. The fluid tank of claim 16, wherein the at least one brace member includes a first brace member joining a top portion of the first connecting member to a top portion of the second connecting member and a second brace member joining a bottom portion of the first connecting member to a bottom portion of the second connecting member.
19. The fluid tank of claim 17, wherein the at least one brace member includes a first brace member joining a top portion of the first connecting member to a top portion of the second connecting member and a second brace member joining a bottom portion of the first connecting member to a bottom portion of the second connecting member.
20. The fluid tank of claim 19, wherein the panels are configured to form the fluid tank into an angled shape.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 23, 2013
Publication Date: Jul 25, 2013
Inventors: Steven R. Moody (Lakeland, FL), Matthew L. Moody (Lithia, FL), James M. Moody (Duette, FL)
Application Number: 13/748,570
International Classification: B65D 88/00 (20060101); B65D 90/08 (20060101); B65D 90/02 (20060101);