Aboveground Rectangular Secondary Containment Generator Base Tank with Internal Flexible Bladder

Abstract

The present invention is a containment tank or a generator set including an outer tank and an inner flexible tank that offers a storage area for diesel fuel for a diesel engine powered generator set. So that the generator set diesel engine have ready source of clean diesel fuel the inner flexible tank provides a corrosion-free storage area that will not corrode or contaminate the diesel fuel. The outer tank is designed to provide a structure that not only protects the inner tank from damage, but acts as a support structure for the diesel engine generator set and other components (enclosure, switchgear, etc.) that are needed for the generator sets protection from wind, rain or snow or to act as control devices for diesel engine generator set. Also, since the design of the inner tank is flexible, it can be replaced easily through a manway formed on the outer tank without having to disconnect or disassemble the generator set.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to storage tanks, and more particularly to storage tanks with redundant containment structures for containing hazardous materials.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Storage tanks are used throughout the world for a variety of purposes. One of the more significant uses for tanks of this type is for the containment of fuels for use at the location of the tanks, such as to store diesel fuel for emergency power diesel engine generator sets. With hazardous materials such as fuels, it is necessary to provide certain safeguards for the storage tanks to protect the environment from a tank leak. These safeguards are normally the requirements of the authority having jurisdiction that necessitate these tanks have the capability for secondary containment of any liquid that could leak from the primary or inner tank.[0003]As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an example of a prior art containment tank 10 on which can be mounted a generator 1000, a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]According to one aspect of the present invention, a storage tank for a hazardous material is provided that includes an internal flexible bladder forming the inner tank that is contained within a more conventional rigid outer tank. The flexible material forming the inner tank has properties that enable the material to resist degradation of the flexible material over a longer period of time than necessary for the corrosion of a conventional steel inner tank, such that the flexible inner tank provides longer corrosion and contaminant resistance than prior art storage tank constructions.

[0010]According to another aspect of the present invention, the flexible inner tank is releasably connected to the outer tank. Therefore, when a leak has formed in the inner tank, the inner tank can be removed from the outer tank and replaced without having to also replace the outer tank. This interchangeability of the inner tank structures within a single outer tank greatly decreases the downtime for a tank that has formed a leak.

Problems solved by technology

This results in excessive replacement costs and extended downtime for the particular device connected to the storage tank, such as an emergency power diesel engine generator set.

However, with the construction of prior art tanks with a steel inner tank, the steel forming the inner tank can oxidize and / or corrode when in storage or over years of operation.

This particulate matter formed as a result of the corrosion can contaminate the fuel held within the inner tank, can obstruct fuel filters located in output channels for the fuel dispense from the tank, and / or can clog engine the fuel injection mechanisms of the power generation systems.

As a result, the emergency power generator set connected to the storage tank may not be able to start when it is needed during a utility power failure in order to support the critical or life-safety load, which is highly undesirable.

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