Improved system for transport and storage of liquids by floating

Abstract

A transport and storage system (1) for liquids by floating comprising a membrane (2) configured to define a space suitable for housing a liquid and extending along longitudinal, transverse and vertical axes (A, B, C), where the vertical axis (C) is the floating axis, the membrane (2) comprising a plurality of portions (2') selectively connectable to one another by at least first sealed joints (5, 6).

Description

[0001] "IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORT AND STORAGE OF LIQUIDS BY FLOATING"

[0002] Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0003] This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No . 102025000008721 filed on April 17, 2025, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference .

[0004] Technical Field

[0005] The present invention relates to a transport and storage system of liquids by floating.

[0006] A preferred, though not exclusive, application of the present invention is water supply to islands and / or coastal areas . Said application will be referred to in the following by way of example .

[0007] State of the Art

[0008] Supplying freshwater to islands and coastal areas represents a significant challenge due to the scarcity of available water resources, further exacerbated by climate change .

[0009] The traditional solution for supplying freshwater to islands and coastal areas is the use of tankers .

[0010] Transporting water by means of tankers requires careful logistical planning and becomes expensive over long distances, especially considering that the tanker travels empty on the return journey.

[0011] However, the use of tankers has environmental implications, such as the consumption of fossil fuels and the impact on maritime traffic .

[0012] An alternative to the use of tankers is the construction ofunderwater pipelines to connect islands to continental areas from which water can be transferred.

[0013] Pipelines can transport significant quantities of water, reducing the need for frequent sea crossings and the associated environmental impact, thus improving the resilience of local communities .

[0014] However, the construction of underwater pipelines requires significant investments and long payback periods; furthermore, it is not a solution for emergency situations .

[0015] An alternative to transporting freshwater is local production by using desalination plants .

[0016] The technologies used in desalination plants, however, are particularly energy-intensive and produce brine, as a waste product from the desalination of seawater . Disposal of said waste is a critical environmental challenge, as it is highly polluting .

[0017] An alternative to desalination and sea transport by tankers or to the construction of underwater pipelines is waterbags .

[0018] Waterbags are large, flexible, floating containers made of plastic-coated textile materials . These containers can be filled with freshwater, whose density is lower than that of seawater, thus allowing the same to float .

[0019] Waterbags can be towed by tugboats across seas and oceans to their destination. The capacity thereof varies greatly, but up to millions of litres of water can be carried in a single shipment .

[0020] Examples of waterbags are illustrated in publications EP0711235 Al, US6047655 A, or US9371114B2.Although waterbags are efficient, flexible, and have a low environmental impact, they have the significant limitation of being made from a single block, not separable into multiple units, or at most consisting of several monolithic containers connected to one another .

[0021] A large monolithic container like those described requires adequate handling, transportation, and storage systems . Their enormous dimensions require enormous space for processing and assembly. Shipping likely requires exceptional transport or on-site construction, with the associated challenges of maintaining adequate quality standards that are difficult to ensure with field equipment outside of equipped production environments .

[0022] One of the main limitations is the periodic sanitization of the containers, which, being made from a single piece to ensure watertightness, make internal access for periodic cleaning virtually impossible .

[0023] The systems described above, being made from a single piece, are difficult to efficiently adapt to requests, of different customers, for transport or storage of variable quantities of liquid, outside the minimum and maximum limits allowed by the capacity of the container .

[0024] There is therefore a need to improve liquid transport systems such as waterbags so as to make the same more versatile and inexpensive .

[0025] The obj ect of the present invention is to meet the above-mentioned needs in an optimized and inexpensive manner .

[0026] Summary of the Invention

[0027] The aforementioned obj ect is achieved by a liquid transportand storage system as claimed in the appended claims, which form an integral part of the present description.

[0028] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is described in the following, by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0030] • Figure 1 is a simplified perspective view of a liquid transport and storage system according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0031] • Figures 2A and 2B are schematic cross-sectional views of a portion of the transport system according to the embodiment of Figure 1 in different operation steps;

[0032] • Figure 3 is a simplified perspective view of a liquid transport and storage system according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

[0033] • Figures from 4A to 4D are schematic cross-sectional views of a portion of the transport and storage system according to the embodiment of Figure 3 in different operation steps .

[0034] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0035] In the accompanying drawings, number 1 generally denotes a liquid transport and storage system - hereinafter referred to as waterbag - according to the invention.

[0036] The waterbag 1 essentially comprises a membrane 2 configured to define a space suitable for containing liquid, such as water, to be transported and / or stored by means of the waterbag 1 .

[0037] As in known systems, the waterbag 1 is designed to be dragged by means of coupling means 4 - such as cables as illustrated -and f illed / emptied through openings 3 formed in the membraneAgain, as is known, the membrane 2 is made of a material suitable for containing the aforementioned liquid, such as plasticized fabric .

[0038] Specifically, the waterbag 1 extends along a longitudinal, transverse, and vertical axis A, B, and C . The illustrated embodiments extend mostly along a longitudinal axis A, and the floating direction is along the vertical axis C .

[0039] According to the invention 2, the membrane 2 is made of multiple portions 2' configured to be connected - in a fluid-tight manner- to one another so as to define the aforementioned space .

[0040] Specifically, in both illustrated embodiments, the portions 2 ' are parallel to one another along the longitudinal axis A.

[0041] Advantageously, the portions 2 ' are of equal dimensions or, alternatively, made in sets of predetermined dimensions so that they can be selected to define a volume of the aforementioned space .

[0042] The portions 2' are connected - in use - to one another by means of the first sealed joints 5, namely, joints placed along adj acent edges that are not at the ends and configured to allow two portions 2 ' to be selectively connected in a fluid-tight manner .

[0043] In both illustrated embodiments, the first sealed joints 5 are therefore illustrated along the longitudinal axis .

[0044] Advantageously, the first sealed joints 5 may comprise sealed hinges .

[0045] The portions 2' are connected - in use - to one another by means of second sealed joints 6, namely, joints placed alongthe end portions along the connecting axis of the portions 2 ' and configured to allow for selective fluid-tight connection of multiple portions 2 ' to one another, and in particular all the portions 2' to one another .

[0046] In both illustrated embodiments, the second sealed joints 6 are configured to connect all the longitudinal ends of the portions 2' to one another along the transverse axis B . Therefore, essentially, at least two second sealed joints 6 are provided, configured to connect the terminal ends 2 ' ' of the portions 2' along the longitudinal axis A.

[0047] In the embodiment of Figures from 1 to 2B, an embodiment of the second sealed joints 6 is illustrated that provides for a substantially undeformed arrangement of the portions 2' along the transverse axis B .

[0048] In other words, the extension of the terminal ends 2 ' ' is substantially the same - or slightly smaller - along the transverse axis B than the remaining part of the portions 2' , while the same is reduced along the vertical axis C.

[0049] Said embodiment provides that each second sealed joint 6 comprises an axial package-like closure, specifically along the vertical axis C .

[0050] In detail, the second sealed joint 6 comprises at least two crossbars 7, three in the illustrated embodiment, arranged alternately along the vertical axis at the terminal ends 2 ' ’ of the portions 2’ .

[0051] The aforementioned crossbars 7 advantageously have a rectangular cross-section so as to maximize the contact area between the terminal ends 2’ ’ .

[0052] Advantageously, the second sealed joint 6 comprises clampingmeans 8 configured to keep the terminal ends 2' ' and the crossbars 7 axially compacted to one another - along the vertical axis C In the described embodiment, said clamping means 8 comprise threaded means such as screws / bolts 8 designed to pass through the bars 7 and the terminal ends 2 ’ ’ , axially compacting and sealing the same .

[0053] Preferably, as illustrated, the waterbag 1 may comprise connecting elements 9, such as bars or profiles, configured to be connected to the membrane 2 to facilitate the connection of the coupling means 4.

[0054] In the embodiment described, said connecting elements 9 comprise a profiled bar, advantageously shaped with a circular cross-section and preferably made of a plurality of elements that can be connected to one another - by means of a reversible mechanical connection - to allow to obtain the desired length due to the portions 2’ .

[0055] The connecting element 9 in the illustrated embodiment is connected to the container 2 by means of the same clamping means 9 and an additional membrane portion 2 ’ ’ ’ designed to surround the connecting element and connect - similarly as described and illustrated above for the terminal ends 2 ’ ’ - to the container 2 .

[0056] In the embodiment of Figures from 3 to 4D, an embodiment of the second sealed joints 6 is illustrated that provides a deformed arrangement along the transverse axis B of the portions 2 ’ .

[0057] In other words, the extension of the terminal ends 2 ’ ’ is smaller along the transverse axis B with respect to the remaining part of the portions 2’ .

[0058] This embodiment provides that each second sealed joint 6comprises an axial package-like closure in particular along the longitudinal axis A.

[0059] As illustrated, the second sealed joint 6 comprises a first element 11' advantageously of a closed annular shape and even more advantageously circular and with an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis A, and a second element 11' ' configured to be selectively fixed to the first element 11' , such as a plate having the same shape as the first element 11 ' , albeit solid, namely, not annular like the first element 11' .

[0060] Advantageously, the elements 11 ' , 11' ' each define a plurality of holes to house clamping means 8, such as those described for the first embodiment, configured to clamp and seal the terminal ends 2’ ’ to one another between the first and second elements .

[0061] Advantageously, the coupling means 4 can be attached directly to one of the elements 11 ' , 11' and / or to the clamping means 8 that connect the same .

[0062] The operation of the transport system according to the invention described above is as follows .

[0063] In both embodiments, the portions 2' can be connected by means of the first sealed joints 5 to provide the desired shape of the membrane 2 along the longitudinal and transverse axes A, B . The terminal ends 2' ’ of the portions 2’ are then sealed to one another by means of the second sealed joints 6, thus isolating the space that can be filled by the accesses 3 of the liquid to be transported or stored. Subsequently, by floating, the latter is towed by the coupling means 4, for example by a tugboat .

[0064] From the foregoing, the advantages of a transport and storage system according to the invention are evident .The modularity of the transport and storage system allows the container to be broken down into smaller parts that can be transported and assembled on site, overcoming the limitations of the monolithic configurations described above .

[0065] Therefore, the transport and storage system combines the known advantages of waterbag systems with high transportability and versatility, resulting in savings in manufacturing and maintenance costs .

[0066] In fact, the membrane can be easily assembled and disassembled, allowing for cleaning, individual part replacement, and calibration of the required volume .

[0067] Each module can vary in size, ranging from a few dozen meters to several dozen meters in length (20-30 meters to 100 meters) and a few meters wide (3-6 meters) .

[0068] For transport, each module can be wrapped around a reel with a height equal to the width of the modules . For example, a waterbag with a capacity of 2, 500 cubic meters, or 2.5 million litres of water, could be formed by seven modules with a width of 3 meters and a length of 65 meters . Considering a fabric thickness or sealed hinge thickness, whichever is greater, of t = 1-3 cm, and a mandrel diameter of d = 50 cm, the waterbag could therefore be transported on seven fabric reels, each 3 meters high and with a diameter D = 104-165 cm. Said value is calculated, for example, using the relationship D = d2+ widely used in industrial fields to estimate the final diameter of reels or rolls, starting from the initial dimensions of the mandrel and the characteristics of the material .

[0069] As illustrated, different types of sealed closures can also be provided, allowing for further versatility in transport .Finally, it is clear that modifications and alternatives may be made to the transport and storage system according to the present invention, which, however, do not go beyond the scope of protection defined by the claims .

[0070] For example, the portions could be made along the transverse axis, or different sealed joints could be provided.

Claims

CLAIMS1. - A transport and storage system ( 1 ) for liquids by floating, said transport and storage system ( 1 ) comprising a membrane (2 ) configured to define a space suitable for housing a liquid, said membrane (2 ) extending along longitudinal, transverse and vertical axes (A, B, C) , where the vertical axis (C) is the floating axis, said membrane (2 ) comprising a plurality of portions (2' ) selectively connectable to one another by at least first sealed joints (5, 6) .

2. - The system according to claim 1, wherein said portions (2' ) extend along said longitudinal axis (A) .

3. - The system according to claim 1, wherein said portions (2' ) extend along said transverse axis (B) .

4. - The system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said portions (2' ) defines accesses (3) for f illing / emptying said space of said liquid.

5. - The system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said first sealed joint ( 6) comprises a sealed hinge extending along at least one edge of said portions (2' ) .

6. - The system according to one of the preceding claims comprising second sealed joints ( 6) configured to connect to one another the terminal ends (2' ' ) of two or more portions (2' ) on an axis different from the connection axis of said first sealed joints (5) .7 The system according to claim 6, wherein said second sealed joints ( 6) comprise at least one pair of elements (7, 11' , 11' ' ) configured to compress said terminal ends (2' ' ) axially between the same in a fluid-tight manner .8 . - The system according to claim 7 , wherein said compression is provided by clamping means ( 8 ) configured to clamp said terminal ends ( 2 ' ' ) between said at least one pair of elements ( 7 , 11 ' , 11 ' ' ) .9 . - The system according to one of the preceding claims , comprising coupling means ( 4 ) configured to allow the connection of said transport system ( 1 ) to a towing vehicle .10 . - The system according to claim 9 in combination with claim 8 , wherein said coupling means ( 4 ) are connected by means of said clamping means ( 8 ) to said at least one pair of elements ( 7 , 11 ' , 11" ) .11 . - The system according to claim 9 or 10 , comprising a connecting element ( 9 ) connected to said membrane ( 2 ) , said connecting element ( 9 ) being configured to allow the connection of said coupling means ( 4 ) .

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