Fluid Containment System and Building Method

Abstract

Systems and building methods for scalable, sturdy, above-ground containment cells for large quantities of fluid are disclosed. The systems can be built quickly on site and disassembled when a project is finished.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 658,784, entitled “FLUID CONTAINMENT SYSTEM AND BUILDING METHOD”, filed on Jun. 12, 2012, and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)[0003]The present invention relates to containment systems, particularly to above-ground systems.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Currently, there are limited containment systems for large quantities of fluid that are required for reserves for large operations such as aquaculture, waste water treatment, mining, oil / gas well hydraulic fracturing (“frac” or “frac'ing”), hydroponics, man-made wetlands, bio-filters for pollution control, etc.[0006]Dug-out or in-ground systems comprising a liner have the disadvantage that over time ground water infiltrates between the tank surface and the line...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text is saying that there are liners placed on the holding cell to stop any fluid from leaking out of the system. This helps to keep everything contained and secure.

Problems solved by technology

Currently, there are limited containment systems for large quantities of fluid that are required for reserves for large operations such as aquaculture, waste water treatment, mining, oil / gas well hydraulic fracturing (“frac” or “frac'ing”), hydroponics, man-made wetlands, bio-filters for pollution control, etc.

Dug-out or in-ground systems comprising a liner have the disadvantage that over time ground water infiltrates between the tank surface and the liner, displacing the liner and reducing the storage capacity of the system.

These are very expensive to manufacture and transport to the site, have a large carbon foot print, and they have to be moved off site after the project is completed.

These tanks cost over $30,000 each and are not insulated or possess any special internal coatings that are required for some flow-back wells in the frac'ing process.

Bladder systems are another less effective technology.

However, this technology is very expensive, not easy to transport and not easily scalable (the storage height is very restricted).

Further, these tanks require secondary containment.

The largest disadvantage that these tanks have is that they can catastrophically fail if the integrity of a wall panel is compromised, e.g., by a puncture from a vehicle hitting the tank or a tree falling onto a wall.

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