PROCESSES AND ASSEMBLIES FOR CONNECTING MODULAR TANK SYSTEMS

Abstract

Modular tank systems employing sidewalls, and processes for assembling such tank systems. Adjoining sidewalls are secured together by inserting pins or bolts through aligned apertures present on components of each sidewall. As fully assembled, the sidewalls define a continuous tank sidewall to which a liner can be positioned within and secured to for one or more of storage, treatment and containment of fluids, solids or combinations thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to modular tank systems and processes and systems for assembling such systems and, in one or more embodiments, to sidewalls for connection to each other, modular tank systems employing such sidewalls, and processes for assembling such tank systems.

Modular tanks are typically constructed of components that may be joined together to form a contiguous, peripheral, generally upright structure to which a fluid tight liner is secured to define a tank for holding fluids. Such tanks may be used as storage tanks, such as for fracturing fluids for subterranean wells, settling and/or treatment tanks for fluids produced from subterranean wells, containment for earthen materials, or storage, treatment or containment of any other solids, fluids or combinations thereof. These versatile tanks are based on low-cost modular components designed for rapid assembly that may be dismantled and moved from site to site.

While a number of processes and assemblies for connecting components of such modular tanks have been proposed, a need exists for processes, apparatus and assemblies which are easy to assemble and disassemble and provide a rigid connection between components.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, one embodiment of the present invention is an assembly comprising a plurality of sidewalls secured together to form a contiguous tank boundary. Each of a plurality of projections are secured to and extending outwardly from one end of each of the plurality of sidewalls and are positioned within one of a corresponding plurality of pairs of ribs secured to another end of an adjacent sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls so that apertures through the plurality of projections are aligned with apertures through the plurality of pairs of ribs. A corresponding plurality of pins is positioned within the aligned apertures.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an assembly comprising a plurality of sidewalls positioned to form a contiguous tank boundary wherein a plurality of apertures through a first elongated member secured to one of the plurality of sidewalls is aligned with a corresponding plurality of apertures through a second elongated member secured to an adjacent sidewall. Each of a corresponding plurality of threaded bolts is positioned within one of the aligned plurality of apertures and each of a plurality of nuts is secured to a separate end of the plurality of threaded bolts.

A further embodiment of the present invention is a process for assembling a modular tank comprising aligning adjacent sidewalls of a plurality of sidewalls such that a plurality of apertures through a first elongated member secured to one of the adjacent sidewalls is aligned with a corresponding plurality of apertures through a second elongated member secured to an adjacent sidewall. A separate threaded bolt is inserted through each of the aligned plurality of apertures and secured therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway, perspective view of the ends of two adjacent sidewalls of a modular tank system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one component of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another component of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway, perspective view of a portion of the ends of two adjacent sidewalls of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1 as releasably secured together;

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway, perspective view of an end of a sidewall of a modular tank system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway, perspective view of a component of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway, perspective view of adjacent sidewalls of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 5 as releasably secured together; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of modular tank system assembled in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 5-7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the processes, apparatus and assemblies of the present invention are illustrated in FIG. 1 which depicts adjacent ends of two different sidewalls or side panels 10, 30 of a modular tank system. Each sidewall 10, 30 may be fabricated of any suitable material, for example rolled plate steel, and be of any suitable dimensions as evident to a skilled artisan, for example ¼ inch in thickness, 31 feet in length and 12 feet in height. A plurality of projections 20a-n may be secured to sidewall 10 by any suitable means, such as by welding to post 12, as will be evident to a skilled artisan. Post 12 may serve as a stiffener to provide structural integrity to the sidewall as will be evident to a skilled artisan. These projections preferably extend beyond an edge 14 of sidewall 10. Sidewall 10 may be provided with a plate 15 which may be secured thereto by any suitable means, such as by welds, and dimensioned to extend substantially between post 12 and edge 14 and bars 17 and 19. Plate 15 may be provided to increase the structural integrity of the portion of sidewall 10 near the connection to an adjoining sidewall, i.e. near edge 14. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each projection 20a-n (wherein “n” represents to total number of projections) may be provided with an aperture 22 therethrough. Although illustrated in FIG. 1 as having a generally rectilinear configuration, these posts may have any suitable configuration which will permit an aperture 22 to be formed therethrough. A corresponding plurality of ribs which may be arranged in pairs 40a-n, 41a-n (wherein “n” represents the total number of rib pairs) and may be secured to the other end of another sidewall 30 by any suitable means, for example by welding to post 32, as will be evident to a skilled artisan. Sidewall 10 may be provided with a plate 35 which may be secured thereto by any suitable means, such as by welds, and dimensioned to extend substantially between post 32 and edge 34 and bars 37 and 39. Plate 35 may be provided to increase the structural integrity of the portion of sidewall 10 near the connection to an adjoining sidewall, i.e. near edge 14. Preferably, these rib pairs 40, 41 do not extend beyond edge 34 of sidewall 30 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and may be generally aligned so as to be substantially parallel. Each rib pair may be provided with apertures 42 therethrough. Although illustrated in FIG. 1 as having a generally rectilinear configuration, these rib pairs may have any suitable configuration so long as apertures 42 can formed therethrough. Post 32 may serve as a stiffener to provide structural integrity to the sidewall as will be evident to a skilled artisan. Projections 20a-n and corresponding rib pairs 40a-n, 41a-n may preferably be uniformly spaced along substantially the entire length of edges 14, 34. More preferably, at least two of the projections (20f and 20n as illustrated in FIG. 1) and at least two of the corresponding rib pairs (40f,n, 41f,n as illustrated in FIG. 1) that are secured closest to the bottom edges 16, 36 of each sidewall 10, 30 may be spaced more closely together than the remaining projections and rib pairs so as to provide more structural integrity to the bottom of the modular tank system as defined when the sidewalls are secured together.

The bottom edges 16, 36 of each sidewall 10, 30 may be provided with a bar 17, 37, respectively, which may extend along the entire length of sidewall 10, 30 and be secured thereto by any suitable means, such as welds. In a like manner, the top edges 18, 38 of each sidewall 10, 30 may be provided with a bar 19, 39, respectively, which may extend along the entire length of sidewall 10, 30 and be secured thereto by any suitable means, such as welds. These bars serve as stiffeners which function to increase the structural integrity of each sidewall as will be evident to a skilled artisan.

When it is desired to secure opposing ends of separate sidewalls of a modular tank system together, the sidewalls are maneuvered to a generally upright position, for example by hoisting with suitable machinery such as a crane, with the bottoms 16, 36 of sidewalls 10, 30, respectively, positioned upon the surface of the earth or a structure, such as a platform. Adjacent ends 14 and 34 of two separate sidewalls of a modular tank system may then be aligned such that each of the projections 20a-n are positioned between, so as to mate with, the corresponding rib pairs 40, 41a-n, and the apertures 22 in projections 20a-n are generally aligned with the corresponding apertures 42 in rib pairs 40a-n, 41a-n. A separate pin 50 may then be inserted through each of aligned apertures such that the shaft 52 thereof extends through the apertures 22, 42. One end of each shaft 52 may be provided with a bevel to facilitate entry into the aligned apertures while the other end may be provided with a head of greater external dimensions, for example a greater outside diameter, to prevent further movement of the pin through the aligned apertures so as to releasably secure the sidewalls together.

As will be further evident to a skilled artisan, each sidewall of the modular tank system of the present invention may have one end with a configuration as illustrated for sidewall 10 in FIGS. 1 and 4, while the opposing end of the same sidewall has a configuration as illustrated by for sidewall 30 in FIGS. 1 and 4. In this manner, an end of one sidewall may be mated with an end of another adjacent sidewall (as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4) until all the sidewalls of the modular tank system are assembled. As assembled, the sidewalls extend upwardly and form the periphery of the modular tank system. A fluid impervious liner may then be installed within the boundary of the tank system and releasably secured to sidewalls in a manner as will be evident to a skilled artisan so that the tank as constructed may be filled with solids, fluids, such as fracturing fluids, or combinations thereof for storage, treatment, containment or combinations thereof. The bottom edge 16, 36 and top edge 18, 38 of each sidewall 10, 30, respectively, have generally the same arcuate or linear configuration and the periphery of the assembled modular tank system may be generally ellipsoidal, polygonal or combinations thereof.

To disassemble the modular tank system of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, adjoining sidewalls may be held in their generally upright position by any suitable means, such as a crane, and pins 50 may be removed. Once pins 50 are removed from both ends 10, 30 of a given sidewall, the sidewall may be transported to storage or to a new site for assembly.

Certain other embodiments of the processes and assemblies of the present invention are illustrated in FIG. 5. A sidewall 60 may be provided with a top edge 68 and a bottom edge 66 as positioned in a generally upright positioned for assembly as hereinafter described and having two opposing ends 62 having generally the same configuration. Each end 62 may be provided with a bar 63 secured thereto by any suitable means, such as welds, and may extend substantially along the entire edge 64 thereof. Each bar 63 serves to stiffen the end 62 of the sidewall and may be provided with a plurality of apertures 61 therethrough. Apertures 61 may be spaced generally uniformly along the length of bar 63 or any other desired spacing as will be evident to a skilled artisan. More preferably, at least two of the apertures 61 that are positioned closest to the bottom edge 66 of each sidewall 60 may be spaced more closely together than the remaining apertures so as to provide more structural integrity to the bottom of the modular tank system as defined when the sidewalls are secured together.

One or more plates 65 may further be positioned on one or both sides of an aperture 61 and secured to bar 63 and sidewall 60 by any suitable means, such as by welds. Although illustrated as triangular, each plate 65 may have any other suitable peripheral configuration as will be evident to a skilled artisan. Plates 65 serve as stiffeners to increase the structural integrity of the sidewalls as assembled into a tank in accordance with the present invention. The bottom edge 66 of each sidewall 60 may be provided with a bar 67 which may extend along the entire length of sidewall 60 and be secured thereto by any suitable means, such as welds. In a like manner, the top edge 68 of each sidewall 60 may be provided with a bar 69 which may extend along the entire length of sidewall 60 and be secured thereto by any suitable means, such as welds. These bars serve as stiffeners which function to increase the structural integrity of each sidewall as will be evident to a skilled artisan.

When it is desired to secure opposing ends of separate sidewalls of a modular tank system together, the sidewalls are maneuvered to a generally upright position, for example by hoisting with suitable machinery such as a crane, with the bottom edge 66 of each sidewall 60 positioned upon the surface of the earth or a structure, such as a platform. Ends 64 of adjacent sidewalls of a modular tank system may then be aligned such that apertures 61 in bars 63 of adjacent sidewalls are aligned. Bolt 70 may then be positioned through the aligned apertures 63. Nuts 72 and 74 may then be threaded onto opposing ends of each bolt 70 so as to releasably secure the sidewalls together. One end of each bolt 70 may have one of nuts 72 or 74 already threaded onto an end thereof prior to positioning bolt 70 through the aligned apertures 63 (as illustrated in FIG. 5). It will be evident to a skilled artisan that each nut may also be provided with a washer (not illustrated). As assembled, the sidewalls extend upwardly and form the periphery of the modular tank system 2 as illustrated in FIG. 8. A fluid impervious liner 80 may then be installed within the boundary of the tank system defined by the continuous tank sidewall formed by securing said sidewalls 60 together and releasably secured to sidewalls in a manner, such as by clamps (not illustrated), as will be evident to a skilled artisan so that the tank as constructed may be filled with solids, fluids, such as fracturing fluids, or combinations thereof for storage, treatment or containment. The bottom edge 66 and top edge 68 of each sidewall 60 may have generally the same arcuate or linear configuration and the periphery of the assembled modular tank system 2 may be generally ellipsoidal, polygonal or combinations thereof.

To disassemble the modular tank system of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, adjoining sidewalls to be disengaged may be held in their generally upright position by any suitable means, such as a crane, one or both of nuts 72 and 74 may be removed from the end(s) of each bolt 70, and bolts 70 removed from apertures 61. Once bolts 70 are removed from the ends 62 of a given sidewall, the sidewall may be transported to storage or to a new site for assembly.

Therefore, the present invention is well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the present invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Although individual embodiments are discussed, the invention covers all combinations of all those embodiments. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the present invention. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range are specifically disclosed.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising:

a plurality of sidewalls secured together to form a contiguous tank boundary, each of a plurality of projections secured to and extending outwardly from one end of each of said plurality of sidewalls and positioned within one of a corresponding plurality of pairs of ribs secured to another end of an adjacent sidewall of said plurality of sidewalls so that apertures through said plurality of projections are aligned with apertures through said plurality of pairs of ribs; and

a corresponding plurality of pins, each of said plurality of pins positioned within said aligned apertures.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of sidewalls has a first bar secured near the bottom thereof and extending along substantially the entire length thereof and a second bar secured near the top thereof and extending along substantially the entire length thereof.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said plurality of projections and said corresponding plurality of pairs of ribs are spaced substantially uniformly along said ends.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein at least two of said plurality of projections and said corresponding plurality of pairs of ribs that are closest to the bottom edge of said sidewalls are spaced closer together than the other projections and corresponding rib pairs.

5. An assembly comprising:

a plurality of sidewalls positioned to form a contiguous tank boundary wherein a plurality of apertures through a first elongated member secured to one of said plurality of sidewalls is aligned with a corresponding plurality of apertures through a second elongated member secured to an adjacent sidewall;

a corresponding plurality of threaded bolts, each of said plurality of threaded bolts positioned within one said aligned plurality of apertures; and

a plurality of nuts, each of said plurality of nuts being secured to a separate end of said plurality of threaded bolts.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least two of both of said plurality of apertures and said corresponding plurality of apertures that are nearest to the bottom of each of said plurality of sidewalls are spaced closer together than the remaining apertures.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each of said plurality of sidewalls has a first bar secured near the bottom thereof and extending along substantially the entire length thereof and a second bar secured near the top thereof and extending along substantially the entire length thereof.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising:

at least one plate secured to one of said first elongated member and said one of said plurality of sidewalls near one of said plurality of apertures.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said plate has a triangular cross section.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising:

a substantially fluid impervious liner positioned within and secured to said contiguous tank boundary.

11. A process for assembling a modular tank comprising:

aligning adjacent sidewalls of a plurality of sidewalls such that a plurality of apertures through a first elongated member secured to one of said adjacent sidewalls is aligned with a corresponding plurality of apertures through a second elongated member secured to an adjacent sidewall; and

inserting a separate threaded bolt through each of said aligned plurality of apertures; and

securing each bolt as positioned through said aligned plurality of apertures.

12. The process of claim 11 wherein said threaded bolt is inserted through one of said aligned plurality of apertures before insertion into another of said aligned plurality of apertures.

13. The process of claim 11 wherein said step of aligning comprising hoisting each of said adjacent sidewalls in a generally upright position so as to define a top edge and a bottom edge of such adjacent side walls.

14. The process of claim 13 wherein said sidewalls as secured together define a continuous tank sidewall.

15. The process of claim 14 further comprising:

positioning a liner within said continuous tank sidewall.

16. The process of claim 15 wherein said liner is substantially fluid impervious.

17. The process of claim 15 further comprising:

securing said liner to said continuous tank sidewall.

18. The process of claim 15 further comprising:

positioning fluid, solids or combinations thereof within said liner.

19. The process of claim 18 wherein said fluid is a fracturing fluid for subterranean wells.

20. The process of claim 18 wherein said fluid, solids or combinations thereof are positioned within said liner for storage, treatment, containment or combinations thereof.