Container

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) having a main body (2), an inner membrane (4) and an outer membrane (5), wherein the inner membrane (4) and the outer membrane (5) are fastened to a main body wall (3) of the main body (2) in a common fastening region (6), and the main body wall (3) and the inner membrane (4) together enclose a gas-receiving cavity (7) having a variable volume for storing and / or generating a gas or gas mixture, in particular biogas, and the outer membrane (5) covers the inner membrane (4) on the side facing away from the gas-receiving cavity (7), wherein the inner membrane (4) and the outer membrane (5) together enclose an intermediate membrane cavity (8) having a variable volume, wherein the container (1) has a sealing membrane (9) which covers the common fastening region (6) on an outer side (10) facing away from the gas-receiving cavity (7) and is fastened to the outer membrane (5) with the interposition and / or formation of a first seal (11) and to the main body wall (3) with the interposition and / or formation of a second seal (12).

Description

[0001]

[0002] container

[0003] The present invention relates to a container with a base body and an inner membrane and an outer membrane, wherein the inner membrane and the outer membrane are attached to a base body wall in a common mounting area and the base body wall and the inner membrane together enclose a gas receiving cavity with variable volume for storing and / or generating gas or gas mixture, in particular biogas, and the outer membrane covers the inner membrane on the side facing away from the gas receiving cavity, wherein the inner membrane and the outer membrane together enclose an intermediate membrane cavity with variable volume.

[0004] Containers of this type can be used for both storing and generating gas or gas mixtures. They can therefore be pure gas storage facilities or reactors in which gas is generated and usually also stored, e.g., from biomass. The gases or gas mixtures stored and / or generated in the gas receiving cavity are generally flammable, and sometimes also odorous. An important function of these containers is to prevent these gases or gas mixtures from escaping to the outside through leaks or similar means, in order to avoid the risk of explosion, odor nuisance, and the like. A container of this type is known from DE 10 2007 025 807 Al in the form of a fermentation reactor, i.e., a biomass reactor.

[0005] The object of the invention is to further improve a container of the above-mentioned type in such a way that as few gases or gas mixtures as possible can escape to the outside.

[0006] This problem is solved by a container according to claim 1.

[0007] According to the invention, containers of the type mentioned at the outset are provided to have a sealing membrane which covers the common fastening area on an outer side facing away from the gas receiving cavity and is attached to the outer membrane with an intermediate layer and / or formation of a first seal and to the base body wall with an intermediate layer and / or formation of a second seal.

[0008] It was recognized that when the inner and outer membranes are attached together in the common mounting area, there is a real risk in practice that gas or a gas mixture could escape from the gas-collecting cavity to the outside due to leaks. According to the invention, this is prevented by an additional sealing membrane on the outer side facing away from the gas-collecting cavity, covering the mounting area. This sealing membrane is sealed against the outer membrane by means of a first seal and against the base body wall by means of a second seal. This ensures that if unwanted gas or a gas mixture escapes from the gas-collecting cavity in the common mounting area, this gas or gas mixture is captured by the sealing membrane and thus cannot escape into the outside space or, in other words, into the environment.This improves the containers according to the invention in such a way that the risk of odor nuisance as well as the risk of explosion due to an unintentional escape of gases or gas mixtures is further reduced compared to the prior art.

[0009] Containers according to the invention can be used for storing, producing, or producing and storing gas or gas mixtures, particularly biogas. They can therefore be pure storage units, but also reactors, especially biogas reactors, in which a corresponding gas or gas mixture is produced, for example, by fermentation processes and the like. The gas receiving cavity can be completely or exclusively filled with gas or gas mixture, particularly in the case of pure storage. However, it can also be provided that the gas receiving cavity contains solids and / or liquids to be fermented, i.e., in short, the digestate, and, as a rule, the gas or gas mixture produced therefrom. The gas receiving cavity has a variable volume.This is generally achieved by making the inner membrane preferably flexible, preferably elastic, so that it can expand and then contract elastically again, depending on its design. The outer membrane is also preferably flexible, and particularly preferably elastic, to allow it to react to this and to varying degrees of filling of the intermembrane cavity. It can be stably supported outwards by appropriate air pressure within the intermembrane cavity. The outer membrane generally serves to protect the inner membrane from weather influences such as precipitation, sunlight, and the like. The outer membrane could therefore also be referred to as a weatherproof membrane. The main function of the inner membrane is to define, enclose, and seal the gas-collecting cavity together with the base body wall.As already mentioned, the variability of the volume of the gas storage cavity is generally achieved by a corresponding flexibility, preferably elasticity, of the inner membrane. The inner membrane could also be referred to as the gas storage cover membrane.

[0010] Although most features, especially components, of the containers according to the invention are listed here in the singular, they can, where technically feasible, of course also be present in a larger number in corresponding variants of the invention, particularly in modifications of the embodiments described in detail below. Numerals such as "one" or "two" can therefore be read not only as "exactly one" or "exactly two" but also as "at least one" or "at least two," etc. This applies in particular to the inner membrane. Thus, containers according to the invention can have exactly one inner membrane but also two or more inner membranes. In the case of two inner membranes, for example, an additional gas-collecting cavity can be formed between the inner membranes. Similarly, within the scope of the invention, even more additional gas-collecting cavities can be formed if more than two inner membranes are present.The gas-accumulating cavities are then separated from each other by the inner membranes, so that different gases or gas mixtures can be stored or even generated within them. In the case of two or more inner membranes, however, all inner membranes are advantageously arranged between the base body wall and the outer membrane, so that the outer membrane then covers all inner membranes. All of this applies preferably to all previously and subsequently described embodiments, even if only the respective features, in particular the inner membrane and / or the gas-accumulating cavity, are referred to in the singular.

[0011] The base wall can be designed differently depending on the type of container. It can be a trough-shaped structure, especially if the container is used for generating gas or gas mixtures. For example, the base wall can consist of a flat bottom surface and a cylindrical or ring-shaped wall mounted on top of it. Viewed from above, the base and the base wall can be round or oval, but other shapes are also possible. The base wall can also consist of just a flat base plate, for example, if the container is used exclusively for storing gas or gas mixtures. Therefore, depending on the application and design of the container, there are a wide variety of possibilities.

[0012] The common fastening area is, at least when viewed in the operating position of the container, advantageously always located at an upper end or at least in an upper area of ​​the base body wall.

[0013] The gas receiving cavity is the cavity in which the gas or gas mixture is generated and / or stored. The intermembrane cavity is the cavity located between the inner and outer membranes. If multiple inner membranes are present, the intermembrane cavity is formed between the outermost of the inner membranes and the outer membrane. The intermembrane cavity could also be referred to as the support air space. The intermembrane cavity has a variable volume, which depends in particular on the fill level of the gas receiving cavity. Air, preferably ambient air, is typically blown into the intermembrane cavity or support air space. This supports the outer membrane and thus ensures the stability of the storage unit.

[0014] Materials known per se can be used to form the inner membrane, the outer membrane, and the sealing membrane. These are advantageously elastomers; for example, the inner and outer membranes can be made of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, and other suitable materials. Particularly with regard to the outer membrane, appropriate measures known per se can be taken to increase its weather and light resistance.

[0015] The containers according to the invention can be part of biogas plants, sewage treatment plants, and the like, or of storage facilities known per se. They can also be air-supported roofs, silos, etc. Viewed from the outside, the containers can be spherical or conical, particularly in the area of ​​the outer and inner membranes, but can also be shaped differently. The base wall can be made of concrete, but also of metal, plastic, and the like. In principle, the base wall can have a square, round, particularly circular, oval, or otherwise shaped base. The sealing membrane provided according to the invention could also be referred to as a sealing sleeve or simply a sleeve. Besides preventing unwanted gas leaks in the common attachment area of ​​the inner and outer membranes to the base wall, it also has further advantages and effects.In appropriate configurations, it enables the monitoring of any gas leaks that may occur, as well as the collection and / or return of gases or gas mixtures escaping from the gas collection cavity in the mounting area. It also offers the advantage of additional thermal insulation in the vicinity of the mounting area between the outer membrane and the base wall. This is particularly advantageous when the containers according to the invention are used as fermentation tanks, or in other words, biogas reactors for the production of biogas, since thermal losses that negatively impact the fermentation process, especially during winter and transitional seasons, can then be significantly reduced. The sealing membrane can also serve as an additional means of securing the outer membrane to the base wall.Furthermore, it can serve as an additional water deflector in the fastening area to repel precipitation and the like, and also prevent snow accumulation in this area. In addition, the sealing membrane also protects the usually upper part of the base wall from weathering and the like.

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the sealing membrane, the outer membrane, and the base body wall together enclose a collection cavity that is closed off to the outside, to which the common mounting area adjoins on its side facing away from the gas-receiving cavity. This ensures that gases or gas mixtures escaping from the gas-receiving cavity via the mounting area in an undesired manner are collected in the collection cavity and thus do not escape uncontrollably into the environment.

[0017] The design and attachment of the first and second seals can vary. As mentioned earlier, both the first and second seals can be formed by attachment to the outer membrane and / or the base body wall. Both the inner and outer membranes can also be designed as an intermediate layer. In particular, the method used to attach the sealing membrane to the outer membrane can be the same as that used to form the first seal. For example, the first seal can be formed by a material-fit connection, such as welding, bonding, or vulcanizing the sealing membrane to the outer membrane. This is, of course, also possible for the second seal.It can be provided that the second seal is formed by a material-fit connection, such as welding, gluing, or vulcanizing the sealing membrane to the base body wall. This material-fit connection creates a fixed and permanent bond between the corresponding components, which also provides a proper seal. This can be used, for example, when the container according to the invention is purely a storage vessel. However, if the container is a reactor that also serves to generate gas or a gas mixture, such as a fermentation reactor in a biogas plant, it may be necessary to have access to the fastening area and / or the gas collection cavity at least from time to time.Particularly in such cases, it is advantageous to design the first and / or second seal as an intermediate layer in order to create a detachable connection between the sealing membrane and the outer membrane, and especially between the sealing membrane and the base body wall. Favorable variations for this design provide that the first and / or second seal is / are a single sealing element, preferably ring-shaped and / or circumferentially closed, and preferably flexible. This sealing element can, for example, be made of or consist of an elastomer.To detachably attach the sealing membrane to the base body wall and to create a correspondingly detachable seal against the base body wall, particularly preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the second seal is fixed to a first component selected from the group consisting of the base body wall or the sealing membrane and is tensioned against the other component from this group by means of a tensioning device. The second seal can thus, for example, be fixed to the base body wall and tensioned against the sealing membrane by means of a tensioning device. Conversely, it is equally possible for the second seal to be fixed to the sealing membrane and tensioned against the base body wall by means of a corresponding tensioning device.

[0018] Another variant involves the second seal being formed by a clamping hose mounted in a clamping rail, or at least incorporating these components. The second seal, like the first, can thus be designed as a clamping hose seal. The clamping hose can be formed or fixed to either the base body wall or the sealing membrane. The same applies to the clamping rail; it, too, can be formed or fixed to either the base body wall or the sealing membrane. The second seal is formed by clamping the hose into the clamping rail. However, this connection can also be released by pulling the hose out of the clamping rail, so that in this variant, the second seal also represents a non-destructively sealable and repeatedly openable connection.

[0019] A similar arrangement is possible for the first seal if a detachable connection is desired in this area. For example, the first seal can be fixed to a first component selected from the group consisting of the outer membrane or the sealing membrane and tensioned against the other component from this group by a tensioning device. The first seal can also be fixed to the outer membrane and tensioned against the sealing membrane by a tensioning device. Conversely, it is also possible for the first seal to be fixed to the sealing membrane and tensioned against the outer membrane by a tensioning device. A tensioning device, such as a tensioning strap known in the prior art, can be used. However, such a tensioning device can also be designed as a tensioning strip, which is preferably fastened by means of screws.The first seal can also be designed as a combination of clamping hose and clamping strip, as described for the second seal.

[0020] The degree of sealing achieved by means of the sealing membrane, the first seal, and the second seal can be adapted to the specific requirements of the container, e.g., to meet applicable legal requirements. In general, the invention can be adapted to the specific requirements by appropriately designing the first seal, the second seal, their fastening, and the sealing membrane. To verify that the respective sealing requirements are met, gas detectors and / or gas leak detectors can be used, as is known in the prior art. It is also known, and possible for verifying seals according to the invention, to use soap sprays, soapy water, and the like to check the required seal in the relevant area of ​​the container.

[0021] The inner and outer membranes can, in principle, be attached together in various ways to the base body wall in the common mounting area. However, a preferred embodiment provides that the inner and outer membranes are clamped together between a mounting strip of the container and the base body wall for attachment to the base body wall in the common mounting area. This preferably applies equally in the case of two or more inner membranes. Preferably, then, all inner membranes and the outer membrane are clamped together between a mounting strip of the container and the base body wall for attachment to the base body wall in the common mounting area. It is particularly preferred that the mounting strip is attached to the base body wall by means of several screws spaced apart from one another.

[0022] Basically, the basic body wall, the inner

[0023] The membrane, the outer membrane, and the sealing membrane can each be shaped differently. Viewed from above, however, a round, especially circular, and above all, a circumferentially closed design is usually preferable. Thus, preferred variants of the container according to the invention provide that the common mounting area and / or the sealing membrane, viewed from above, are preferably each designed as a circumferentially closed ring, preferably a circular ring.

[0024] As already indicated, the intermediate membrane cavity is preferably filled with air, preferably ambient air, which also leads to a corresponding stabilization of the container and, in particular, of the outer membrane. In this context, containers according to the invention preferably have a, preferably first, compressed air source for blowing air, preferably ambient air, into the intermediate membrane cavity. A preferably first air outlet for releasing air or an air-gas mixture from the intermediate membrane cavity is also preferably provided. A preferably first detector for, in particular, flammable, gas or gas mixture can be arranged in the intermediate membrane cavity or in or at the preferably first air outlet. This can be used to determine whether, in particular, flammable, gas or gas mixture has entered the intermediate membrane cavity from the gas receiving cavity.It is also preferred that a separator for, in particular, flammable gas or gas mixture is connected to the, preferably first, air outlet, so that any gas, in particular flammable gas, that may have entered the intermembrane cavity is not released uncontrollably into the environment. Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the container has at least one overflow opening, preferably extending through the outer membrane, for allowing air, in particular ambient air, or an air-gas mixture to flow from the intermembrane cavity into the collection cavity. This can be used to direct the air, in particular ambient air, blown into the intermembrane cavity by means of the, preferably first, compressed air source, also into the collection cavity in order to purge it and, if applicable, to flush out any gas or gas mixture that may have entered it.Particularly in such configurations, the container may be provided with an air outlet, preferably a second one, for venting air or an air-gas mixture from the collection cavity. In such configurations, the air, preferably ambient air, blown in by means of the first compressed air source, first flows through the intermediate membrane cavity, then the collection cavity, and is then vented via the second air outlet. Appropriately arranged detectors for, in particular, flammable gas or gas mixtures can determine whether the air or air-gas mixture also contains undesirable components of, in particular, flammable gas or gas mixtures. A corresponding separator for, in particular, flammable gas or gas mixtures can also be connected to the second air outlet.

[0025] Particularly in variants where the intermediate membrane cavity and the collection cavity are sealed off from each other, it can also be provided that the collection cavity has its own, preferably second, compressed air source. In other words, the container can also have a, preferably second, compressed air source for blowing air, especially ambient air, into the collection cavity.

[0026] In principle, detectors for gas or gas mixtures, especially flammable gas, and / or pressure sensors and / or separators for gas or gas mixtures, especially flammable gas, can be arranged wherever it is necessary to monitor and, if necessary, separate the ingress or unintentional escape of gas or gas mixtures. The collection cavity can be circulated with air, especially ambient air, by means of the measures already mentioned. In simpler designs, however, it is also possible not to provide for any airflow through the collection cavity. Detectors for gas or gas mixtures, especially flammable gas, and / or pressure sensors can be arranged in the collection cavity and / or in or at the, preferably second, air outlet to monitor the condition in the collection cavity. A, preferably second, separator for gas or gas mixtures, especially flammable gas, can also be connected to the second air outlet.If the collection cavity is not constantly flowing with air or an air-gas mixture, then no air outlet from the collection cavity needs to be permanently open. It is therefore also possible that the air outlet, preferably the second one, can be temporarily closed.

[0027] The above descriptions show that containers according to the invention, and in particular the compressed air sources, air outlets, and sensors, can be designed and arranged in very different ways. This will be further illustrated below with reference to the various exemplary embodiments. Of course, other combinations of the individual features of containers according to the invention, beyond those specifically described and shown here, are also possible within the scope of the invention.

[0028] The following description of the figures illustrates various embodiments of the invention. They show:

[0029] Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a container according to the invention;

[0030] Fig. 2 is a top view of the container from Fig. 1;

[0031] Fig. 3 shows a vertical section through a first embodiment of a container according to the invention;

[0032] Fig. 4 shows a vertical section through a second embodiment of a container according to the invention;

[0033] Fig. 5 shows a vertical section through a third embodiment of a container according to the invention;

[0034] Fig. 6 shows a vertical section through a fourth embodiment of a container according to the invention;

[0035] Fig. 7 shows a vertical section through a fifth embodiment of a container according to the invention, and

[0036] Figs. 8 to 12 illustrate different possibilities for the design of the first and second seals in containers according to the invention.

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a schematic, perspective view of an example of a container 1 according to the invention, without compressed air sources 15, 20 and without air outlets 16, 21. The container 1 has a base body 2 with a base body wall 3. Also visible in Fig. 1 are the outer membrane 5 and the sealing membrane 9 provided according to the invention, which is sealed against the outer membrane 5 by the seal 11 and against the base body wall 3 by the seal 12. Fig. 2 shows a top view of the embodiment according to Fig. 1. Here it can be seen that the sealing membrane 9, viewed in this top view of the container 1, is designed as a circumferentially closed ring, here as a circular ring. The same applies in this embodiment to the common mounting area 6, which is shown in Fig. 1. However, 1 and 2 are not visible because they are covered by the sealing membrane 9.

[0038] Although the annular shape of the container 1 and its base shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a preferred variant, the invention is naturally not limited to this shape. Viewed from above, the container 1 could also be circumferentially enclosed in another shape, e.g., as an oval, rectangle, square, or in virtually any other shape. The common mounting area 6 and the sealing membrane 9 then have a shape adapted to the base of the base body 2 or container 1.

[0039] The following section describes various embodiments of a container 1 according to the invention. Figures 3 to 7 each show a schematic vertical section through the respective embodiment. All embodiments described below comprise a container 1 with a base body 2 and at least one inner membrane 4 and an outer membrane 5. The inner membrane 4 or membranes 4 and the outer membrane 5 are each attached to the base body wall 3 of the base body 2 in a common mounting area 6. The base body wall 3 and the inner membrane 4 together enclose a gas receiving cavity 7 with variable volume, which, depending on the design of the container 1, can be designed for both storing and producing gas or a gas mixture, in particular biogas. The outer membrane 5 covers the inner membrane 4 on the side facing away from the gas receiving cavity 7.The inner membrane 4 and the outer membrane 5 together enclose an intermediate membrane cavity 8 with variable volume. According to the invention, in all embodiments described below, the container 1 has a sealing membrane 9 which covers the common attachment area 6 on an outer surface 10 facing away from the gas receiving cavity 7 and is attached to the outer membrane by means of an intermediate layer and / or the formation of a first seal 11 and to the base body wall 3 by means of an intermediate layer and / or the formation of a second seal 12.

[0040] The design according to the invention ensures that, in all embodiments of the invention, any gas or gas mixture unintentionally escaping from the gas receiving cavity 7 or, optionally, from the additional gas receiving cavity 39 in the common mounting area 6 does not escape into the environment, but is instead captured by means of the sealing membrane 9. For the other advantages achieved by means of the sealing membrane 9, reference is made to the descriptions above.

[0041] In all embodiments of the invention, which will be explained in detail below, it is provided that the sealing membrane 9, the outer membrane 5, and the base body wall 3 together enclose the collection cavity 13, which is closed off towards the outside 10, and on which the common fastening area 6 is mounted on its

[0042] Gas intake cavity 7 adjoins the far side.

[0043] Various possibilities for the design of the first seal 11 and the second seal 12 are explained below by way of example with reference to Figures 8 to 12. The different variants can, in principle, be implemented in all variants of a container 1 according to the invention shown here in Figures 3 to 7. In the exemplary embodiments according to Figures 3 to 5 and in Figure 7, the container 1 is in each case a biogas reactor or, in other words, a fermentation reactor. This is thus in each case an example of how the container 1 according to the invention can be used both for the storage and for the production of gas or gas mixtures. In such embodiments, it is advantageously provided that the base body 2 or the base body wall 3 is in each case trough-shaped. This can be seen in Figures 8 to 7.3 to 5 and 7, that in the interior enclosed by the base body wall 3, on the one hand the fermentation material 27 and, on the other hand above it, the gas absorption cavity 7 is located. The gas absorption cavity 7 is bounded at the top by the inner membrane 4.

[0044] In contrast to the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 5 and 7, the embodiment shown in Figure 6 is a container 1 according to the invention that serves exclusively for the storage of gas or a gas mixture. Here, the base body wall 3 is designed as a simple plate. Of course, in purely storage containers, the base body 2 or the base body wall 3 can also be designed in a trough shape or in another way. Looking at the embodiment in Figure 3, one sees a compressed air source, here designated as the first compressed air source 15, with which air, preferably ambient air, can be blown into the intermediate membrane cavity 8 to fill it and thus stabilize the outer membrane 5. The air or ambient air in the intermediate membrane cavity 8 is supported by the inner membrane 4 and the gas receiving cavity 7 arranged below it. How much air or...The volume of ambient air blown into the intermediate membrane cavity 8 can be adjusted to the fill level of the gas receiving cavity 7, as well as to the stability requirements and / or the load on the outer membrane 5. Both the volume of the gas receiving cavity 7 and the volume of the intermediate membrane cavity 8 are variable. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the intermediate membrane cavity 8 is vented via an air outlet 16, which is referred to here as the first air outlet. This serves to release air or an air-gas mixture from the intermediate membrane cavity 8. An air-gas mixture can occur in the intermediate membrane cavity 8 if, for example, gas or a gas mixture from the gas receiving cavity 7 enters the intermediate membrane cavity 8 through leaks in the inner membrane 4. This gas or gas mixture then mixes with the air blown in via the compressed air source 15.Ambient air, which in this application is referred to as an air-gas mixture. In order to determine whether and, if so, how much gas or gas mixture has entered the intermembrane cavity 8, first detectors 17 for, in particular, flammable, gas or gas mixture are provided in the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 3. These can be arranged directly in the intermembrane cavity 8, as schematically shown in Fig. 3. Alternatively or additionally, these first detectors 17 can also be arranged in the first air outlet 16.

[0045] As an additional sensor, a pressure sensor 23 is provided in the intermediate membrane cavity 8 in Fig. 3. This can be used, for example, for filling or pressure control in the intermediate membrane cavity 8 by appropriately controlling the first compressed air source 15. Alternatively or additionally, this pressure sensor 23 can also be arranged in the first air outlet 16.

[0046] To prevent gas or gas mixtures, and in particular flammable gas or gas mixtures, from escaping uncontrollably into the environment, a first separator 18 for, in particular, flammable gas or gas mixtures is provided in the first air outlet 16 in preferred embodiments, as also shown here in Fig. 3. Such separators 18 are known in the prior art and can be used in accordance with the invention.

[0047] In the first embodiment according to Fig. 3, the collection cavity 13, enclosed to the outside by the sealing membrane 9, is completely separated from the gas receiving cavity 7 and also from the intermediate membrane cavity 8, as long as the outer membrane 5 and the common mounting area 6 are sufficiently tight, as desired. Gas, gas mixture, air, or air-gas mixture can only enter the collection cavity 13 if the common mounting area 6 or the outer membrane 5 develops leaks. Only then does gas, gas mixture, air, or air-gas mixture enter the collection cavity 13. There, the sealing membrane 9, the first seal 11, and the second seal 12 prevent these gases, gas mixtures, air, or air-gas mixtures from escaping uncontrollably into the environment, according to the invention.Whether these gaseous fluids enter the collection cavity 13 can be detected in the embodiment according to Fig. 3 via the second detector 22 for, in particular, flammable gas or gas mixtures and / or also via the pressure sensor 23, which is also arranged in the collection cavity 13. If there is a significant influx of these gaseous fluids into the collection cavity 13, this can even be visually detected from the outside if the sealing membrane 9 bulges outwards accordingly. If such an unintended influx of gaseous fluids into the collection cavity 13 occurs, it can be vented via a temporarily closable air outlet 21 (not shown in Fig. 3) and preferably via a corresponding separator for, in particular, flammable gas or gas mixtures. This second air outlet 21 is therefore, in this embodiment according to Fig. 3,3 is only needed or activated if there are leaks in the common mounting area 6 or in the outer membrane 5. If everything is sealed and this is not the case, this air outlet 21 can remain closed and, if necessary, be removed.

[0048] In contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 provides that not only the intermediate membrane cavity 8, but also the collection cavity 13 is continuously purged with air, preferably ambient air, from the first compressed air source 15. For this purpose, the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 provides that the container 1 has at least one, preferably several, overflow openings 19 extending through the outer membrane 5 for air or an air-gas mixture to flow from the intermediate membrane cavity 8 into the collection cavity 13. The air or ambient air blown in by means of the first compressed air source 15 in Fig. 4 thus first flows through the intermediate membrane cavity 8 and then, through the overflow opening 19, also through the collection cavity 13.Should leaks occur in the common mounting area 6 or the inner membrane 4, and thus gas or a gas mixture escape from the gas receiving cavity 7 into the collection cavity 13 or into the intermediate membrane cavity 8, this gas or gas mixture is carried along by the air or ambient air blown in by means of the first compressed air source 15 and, in the embodiment according to Fig. 4, discharged via an air outlet 21 leading out of the collection cavity 13, here referred to as the second air outlet. Preferably, as also shown here in Fig. 4, a second separator 24 for, in particular, flammable gas or gas mixture is located in the second air outlet 21. In order to be able to determine the composition of the air or the air-gas mixture and thus the presence of, in particular, flammable gas or gas mixture, the embodiment according to Fig. 4 includes a second separator 24.4 On the one hand, the first detector 17 for, in particular, flammable gas or gas mixture is located in the intermembrane cavity 8, as is the second detector 22 for, in particular, flammable gas or gas mixture in the collection cavity 13 and / or, as also shown here, in the second air outlet 21. Additionally, a pressure sensor 23, which is shown here in the intermembrane cavity 8, may also be present, for example, for corresponding pressure control.

[0049] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, with appropriate tightness of the outer membrane 5 and the common mounting area 6, the intermediate membrane cavity 8 and the collection cavity 13 are separated from each other, as is also the case in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3. In contrast to the variant shown in Fig. 3, the collection cavity 13 in Fig. 5 has its own compressed air source 20 and a separate air outlet 21. The second air outlet 21 contains a second separator 24 for separating gas or gas mixtures, particularly flammable gas. The second compressed air source 20 can be controlled, for example, depending on the pressure values ​​measured by the pressure sensor 23, in order to blow the desired quantity of air or ambient air into the collection cavity 13. The presence of gas or gas mixtures is detected by the pressure sensor 23.The detection of leaks in the common mounting area 6 can be carried out via the second detector 22 for, in particular, flammable gas or gas mixtures. Otherwise, this embodiment according to Fig. 5 is designed like the one according to Fig. 3.

[0050] Fig. 6 shows a container 1 according to the invention in the form of a pure storage tank, in which no fermentation material 27 or the like is present and which serves exclusively for the storage of gas or a gas mixture. In this particular embodiment, this storage tank has two inner membranes 4 and thus, in addition to the gas receiving cavity 7, an additional gas receiving cavity 39. Such storage tanks can be used, for example, as combined clean gas and raw gas storage tanks. Of course, in a modified form, the upper inner membrane 4, and thus also the additional gas receiving cavity 39, as well as the inlet and outlet lines 35 and 36, could be omitted, resulting in a storage tank with only one gas receiving cavity 7.

[0051] In this example, the gas storage cavity is bounded at the bottom by a bottom membrane 37. The inlet and outlet lines 33 and 34 for filling and removing the gas or gas mixture to be stored in the gas storage cavity 7 are shown by way of example in Fig. 6. The gas storage cavity 7 could, for example, be used for storing biogas. The gas or gas mixture to be stored is in any case stored in the gas storage cavity 7, i.e., between the base body wall 3, here designed as a plate, and specifically the bottom membrane 37 arranged above it, and the inner membrane 4. In the additional gas storage cavity 39 arranged between the two inner membranes 4 present here, another gas or gas mixture, such as a pure gas, can be stored. The filling and removal of this gas or gas mixture into and out of the additional gas receiving cavity 39 is carried out via the supply and discharge lines 35 and 36 .In such a combined clean and raw gas storage system, shown here by way of example in Fig. 6, it can be provided, for instance, that a gas mixture produced in a biogas plant is first stored as raw gas in the gas receiving cavity 7 and then fed from there to a processing plant known per se. The clean gas produced there from the raw gas can then be stored in the additional gas receiving cavity 39 until it is extracted and used accordingly.

[0052] The intermediate membrane cavity 8 between the upper inner membrane 4 and the outer membrane 5 is filled with air or ambient air by means of the first compressed air source 15, as shown in the embodiment in Fig. 3. The air or air-gas mixture is discharged from the intermediate membrane cavity 8 via the first air outlet 16. The first detector 17, for gas or gas mixtures, particularly flammable gas, can detect whether leaks exist in the inner membrane 4 and thus whether gas or gas mixture has entered the intermediate membrane cavity 8 from the gas receiving cavity 7. The pressure detector 23 arranged in the intermediate membrane cavity 8 can be used to control the first compressed air source 15 in order to blow the required amount of air or ambient air into the intermediate membrane cavity 8.

[0053] In the variant shown here in Fig. 6, the collection cavity 13 is completely separated from the gas receiving cavity 7, the additional gas receiving cavity 39, and also from the intermediate membrane cavity 8, as long as the outer membrane 5 and the common mounting area 6 are sufficiently tight. If leaks occur, the gas, gas mixture, or air or air-gas mixture escaping from the intermediate membrane cavity 8 or gas receiving cavity 7 is collected in the collection cavity 13. Whether such leaks occur can be detected by means of the second detector 22 for, in particular, flammable gas or gas mixtures arranged in the collection cavity 13, or by the pressure sensor 23 also arranged there. As long as this is not the case, no gaseous fluid needs to be removed from this collection cavity 13.If leaks occur, an air outlet (not shown) can be opened to discharge the gas, gas mixture, air or air-gas mixture from the collection cavity 13, to which a separator (also not shown) for, in particular, flammable gas or gas mixture is preferably connected.

[0054] Of course, containers 1 according to the invention, which are designed as pure storage units, can also be designed in various other variants, e.g., analogous to the embodiments shown in Figures 4 and 5. Thus, for example, corresponding overflow openings 19 and / or second compressed air sources and / or second air outlets 21 can also be present here.

[0055] By using more than two inner membranes 4, even more additional gas storage cavities 39 could be realized in all the embodiments shown here in the containers 1 according to the invention. For example, in the embodiments according to Figures 3, 4, 5 and 7, the containers 1, which are also used there for gas generation, could be expanded by means of corresponding additional inner membranes 4 with additionally created gas storage cavities 39 to provide additional storage capacity. Then the generated gas or gas mixture could be extracted from the respective gas storage cavity 7, fed to a processing plant, and the purified gas generated there could then be stored again in the additional gas storage cavity 39 until it is used for further purposes.

[0056] The embodiment shown in Fig. 7 is a modification of the variant shown in Fig. 4. Here, air or ambient air is blown directly into the collection cavity 13 via the second compressed air source 20. This air or ambient air can then also enter the intermediate membrane cavity 8 from the collection cavity 13 via the overflow openings 19 in the outer membrane 5. For venting, this variant provides a first air outlet 16 for venting the intermediate membrane cavity 8 and a second air outlet 21 for venting the collection cavity 13. The detectors 17 and 22, as well as the pressure sensors 23, can be present and used as already described in the other embodiments. In the variant shown in Fig. In addition, pressure control flaps 29 are provided in the two air outlets 16 and 21, which could also be implemented in the other embodiments. These pressure control flaps 29 can, for example,can be used as an overpressure protection device or simply for pressure control in the intermediate membrane cavity 8 and / or in the collection cavity 13.

[0057] Finally, with reference to Figures 8 to 12, it will now be explained by way of example how the common fastening area 6 as well as the first seal 11 and second seal 12 can be designed in different variants according to the invention.

[0058] In all Figures 8 to 12, the inner membrane 4 and the outer membrane 5 are clamped together in the common mounting area 6 between a mounting strip 14 of the container 1 and the base wall 3, respectively, for attachment to the base body 2 and the base body wall 3. The mounting strip 14 is fastened to the base body wall 3 with a corresponding number of screws 28, preferably arranged equidistantly. Of course, other clamps, preferably releasable ones, or other connections could also be used to fasten the at least one inner membrane 4 and the outer membrane 5 together in the common mounting area 6 to the base body wall 3.

[0059] Various options are available for the formation or arrangement of the first seal 11, such as those already explained. In Figures 8 to 11, the first seal 11 is formed by welding the sealing membrane 9 gas-tight to the outer membrane 5. Here, the first seal 11 is thus directly realized by the way the sealing membrane 9 is attached to the outer membrane 5. Other material- and / or form-fitting connections, such as sewing, gluing, or vulcanizing, are also possible.

[0060] The second seal 12, however, is designed as an intermediate layer in Figures 8, 9, and 10. This intermediate layer, or the second seal 12, is preferably an annular, circumferentially closed sealing element. Preferably, the sealing element is an elastomer. In the embodiments shown here according to Figures 8 to 10, this second seal 12 is fixed to the base body wall 3. The sealing membrane 9 is tensioned against the second seal 12 in all three embodiments according to Figures 8 to 10 by means of a tensioning device. In Figures 8 and 10, the tensioning device consists of a tensioning strip 26 attached to the base body wall 3 by means of screws 28. This tensioning strip 26, as well as the fastening strip 14, can be made of, for example, metal. It can be made of steel or aluminum, but also of plastic or other suitable materials.In these exemplary embodiments according to Figures 8 and 10, the sealing membrane 9 is clamped between the clamping strip 26 and the second seal 12, which here is designed as an elastomer body. The required degree of tightness can be achieved or adapted to the respective requirements by appropriately pressing the clamping strip 26 and / or selecting a suitable material for the second seal 12.

[0061] In the variant according to Fig. 9, instead of the tensioning strip 26 and the screws 28, a tensioning strap 25 is provided, which is guided through a corresponding loop or, in other words, through a corresponding hem 30 of the sealing membrane 9. The sealing membrane 9 can be pressed firmly against the second seal 12 by means of the tensioning strap 25 in order to achieve the degree of tightness required for the respective application.

[0062] Fig. 10 is based on Fig. 8. In contrast to Fig. 8, in Fig. 10 the sealing membrane 9 is extended beyond the second seal 12 and then terminates in a loop or a hem 30. This extended section of the sealing membrane 9 can, as shown in Fig. 10, be used as a cover and thus as protection against the elements for the upper end of a container insulation 38 attached to the outside of the base wall 3. The loop or hem 30 can again be fastened by means of a tension strap 25 passed through it.

[0063] In Fig. 11, the second seal 12 is designed as a clamping hose seal. In the illustrated version, a clamping rail 32 is attached to the base body wall 3 and a clamping hose 31 to the sealing membrane 9. When the clamping hose 31 is clamped into the clamping rail 31, as shown in Fig. 11, the second seal 12 seals the collection cavity 13. The degree of sealing can then be further increased, for example, by increasing the internal pressure in the clamping hose 31. This type of connection also allows for repeated non-destructive connection and disconnection in the area of ​​the second seal 12. Of course, the clamping rail 32 could also be formed or fixed to the sealing membrane 9 and the clamping hose 31 to the base body wall 3.

[0064] The embodiment according to the invention shown in Fig. 12 is a modification of the embodiment shown in Fig. 10. The difference is that in Fig. 12, the sealing membrane 9 and the first seal 11 are arranged or attached to the outer membrane 5 directly below the mounting strip 14 from the outside. In this embodiment, the sealing membrane 9 and the first seal 11 thus lie below the mounting strip 14 on top of the outer membrane 5, while the inner membrane 4 is located on the opposite side, i.e., below the outer membrane 5 and thus between the outer membrane 5 and the base body wall 3. The sealing membrane 9 can be welded, glued, or otherwise gas-tight to the outer membrane 5 to form the first seal 11. Alternatively, the first seal 11 can also be arranged or clamped as an intermediate layer between the sealing membrane 9 and the outer membrane 5.In all cases, the sealing membrane 9 also covers the common mounting area 6 of the outer and inner membranes 5 and 4 on the outer surface 10 facing away from the gas receiving cavity 7 in these embodiments shown in Fig. 12, so that any gas or gas mixture escaping to the outside from the gas receiving cavity 7 in the mounting area 6 is collected by means of the sealing membrane 9 and the first and second seals 11 and 12. Otherwise, the embodiment in Fig. 12 is designed like that in Fig. 10, so reference can be made to the above descriptions.

[0065] The variants shown in Figures 8 to 12 also have the advantage that the sealing membrane 9 can be easily detached from the base wall in the area of ​​the second seal 12 for maintenance purposes or the like. This allows temporary access, if necessary, to the common mounting area, the gas intake cavity 7, or the intermediate membrane cavity 8. If the container 1 is to return to normal operation, the required seal in the area of ​​the second seal 12 can be restored by appropriately closing the respective second seal 12. As already explained, the design of the first seal 11 shown here in the preferred variants can, of course, also be implemented in the area of ​​the second seal 12.Conversely, it is also conceivable to design the first seal 11 in the same way as shown here for the second seal 12.

[0066] Legend for the reference number:

[0067] Container 31 Clamp hose

[0068] Base body 32 clamping rail

[0069] Base body wall 33 Supply line

[0070] Inner membrane 34 Drain line

[0071] Outer membrane 35 Supply line

[0072] Mounting area 36 Drain line

[0073] Gas absorption cavity space 37 bottom membrane

[0074] Intermembrane cavity 38 Container insulation

[0075] Sealing membrane 39 additional

[0076] Outside gas intake cavity space

[0077] First seal

[0078] Second seal

[0079] On a hollow space

[0080] Mounting strip

[0081] First compressed air source

[0082] First air outlet

[0083] First detector

[0084] First separator

[0085] Overflow opening

[0086] Second compressed air source

[0087] Second air outlet

[0088] Second detector

[0089] Pressure sensor

[0090] Second separator

[0091] Tensioning strap

[0092] Tensioning strip

[0093] Fermented material

[0094] screw

[0095] Pressure regulating flap

[0096] loop

Claims

Patent claims 1. Container (1) comprising a base body (2) and an inner membrane (4) and an outer membrane (5), wherein the inner membrane (4) and the outer membrane (5) are attached to a base body wall (3) of the base body (2) in a common mounting area (6), and the base body wall (3) and the inner membrane (4) together enclose a gas receiving cavity (7) with variable volume for storing and / or producing gas or gas mixture, in particular biogas, and the outer membrane (5) covers the inner membrane (4) on the side facing away from the gas receiving cavity (7), wherein the inner membrane (4) and the outer membrane (5) together enclose an intermediate membrane cavity (8) with variable volume, characterized in that the container (1) has a sealing membrane (9),which on an outer surface (10) facing away from the gas intake cavity (7) covers the common fastening area (6) and is attached to the outer membrane (5) with an intermediate layer and / or formation of a first seal (11) and to the base body wall (3) with an intermediate layer and / or formation of a second seal (12).

2. Container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sealing membrane (9) and the outer membrane (5) and the base body wall (3) together form a, towards the outside (10) enclosed, on catch cavity (13) enclose the area to which the common fastening area (6) is adjacent on its side facing away from the gas receiving cavity (7).

3. Container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first seal (11) is formed by a material-locking and / or form-locking attachment of the sealing membrane (9) to the outer membrane (5) and / or the second seal (12) is formed by a material-locking attachment of the sealing membrane (9) to the base body wall (3).

4. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first seal (11) and / or the second seal (12) is / are designed as a sealing body, preferably ring-shaped and / or circumferentially closed, preferably designed as an elastomer body, or as a clamping hose seal.

5. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second seal (12) is fixed to a first component selected from the group consisting of the base body wall (3) or the sealing membrane (9) and is clamped against the other component from this group by means of a clamping device.

6. Container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first seal (11) is fixed to a first component selected from the group consisting of the outer membrane (5) or the sealing membrane (9) and is clamped against the other component from this group by means of a clamping device.

7. Container (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the tensioning device is a tensioning strap (25) or a tensioning strip (26), preferably fastened by means of screws.

8. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inner membrane (4) and the outer membrane (5) are clamped together in the common fastening area (6) between a fastening strip (14) of the container (1) and the base body wall (3) for fastening to the base body wall (3).

9. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the common fastening area (6) and / or the sealing membrane (9) are preferably each formed as a circumferentially closed ring, preferably a circular ring, when viewed from a top view of the container (1).

10. Container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the container (1) has a, preferably first, compressed air source (15) for blowing air, preferably ambient air, into the intermembrane cavity (8) and / or a, preferably first, air outlet (16) for releasing air or air-gas mixture from the intermembrane cavity (8).

11. Container (1) according to claim 10, wherein a detector (17), preferably a first detector (17) for, in particular, flammable, gas or gas mixture is arranged in the intermediate membrane cavity (8) or in or at the air outlet (16), preferably a first detector (17) for, in particular, flammable, gas or gas mixture and / or at the air outlet (16), preferably a first detector (17) for, in particular, flammable, gas or gas mixture is arranged. first separator (18) for, in particular, flammable, gas or gas mixture is connected.

12. Container (1) according to one of claims 2 to 11, wherein the container (1) has at least one overflow opening (19), preferably passing through the outer membrane (5), for allowing air or air-gas mixture to flow from the intermembrane cavity (8) into the collection cavity (13).

13. Container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the container (1) has a, preferably second, compressed air source (20) for blowing air, preferably ambient air, into the collecting cavity (13) and / or a, preferably second, air outlet (21) for releasing air or air-gas mixture from the collecting cavity (13).

14. Container (1) according to one of claims 2 to 13, wherein a, preferably second, detector (22) for flammable gas and / or a pressure sensor (23) is arranged in the collection cavity (13) or in or on the, preferably second, air outlet (21) and / or a, preferably second, separator (24) for flammable gas is connected to the, preferably second, air outlet (21).

15. Container (1) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the, preferably second, air outlet (21) is temporarily closable.

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