Floating Insulation Panels for Fracking Tank Evaporation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large above-ground storage tanks used in hydraulic fracturing experience significant fluid loss through evaporation and contamination due to their open top design, which exposes the fluid to environmental temperatures and allows entry of birds and other contaminants.

Innovation Solution

A floating insulative cover system utilizing rectangular and circumferential panels with locking rims, made of foam and hard plastic, that interlock to form a continuous seal around the tank, accommodating its circular shape and preventing gaps, while floating on the liquid surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an open top design is used for storage tanks, then ease of operation and access is improved, but fluid loss through evaporation and contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to fluidVSAvoidfluid evaporation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into multiple rectangular panels that can be individually installed and removed, allowing selective access to different portions of the tank while maintaining coverage over the rest of the fluid surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The panels are designed to be movable and removable rather than fixed, enabling dynamic access to the fluid when needed while providing coverage when not in use, thus balancing operational ease with evaporation prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If an open top design is used for storage tanks, then ease of operation is improved, but contamination from birds and environmental factors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to fluidVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented panel design allows the cover to be configured to provide continuous coverage when panels are installed, creating a physical barrier against birds and contaminants while still permitting access when panels are removed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The panel cover system acts as an intermediary barrier between the fluid and the environment, blocking contaminants when installed while allowing human access when removed, thus mediating between protection and operational needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If rectangular panels are used to cover a circular tank, then manufacturing ease is improved, but gaps form at the edges where panels do not match the circular shape

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel productionVSAvoidedge coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cover system uses multiple rectangular panels arranged in a circular pattern, with the gaps between panels intentionally designed to be small and localized, accepting minor edge imperfections while maintaining overall effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system accepts partial coverage at the edges where rectangular panels cannot perfectly match the circular tank shape, prioritizing the ease of manufacturing rectangular panels over achieving perfect edge coverage, while the cumulative effect of multiple panels provides sufficient coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Stability of the object's composition

If panels are made thick for floating stability, then stability is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloating stabilityVSAvoidpanel weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The panels are constructed as composite structures with an inner core providing buoyancy and an outer shell providing structural integrity and insulation, optimizing the balance between weight and stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The panels use thin-walled hollow structures that provide sufficient buoyancy and stability without requiring thick solid materials, reducing weight while maintaining floating capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively reduces fluid evaporation and contamination by creating a sealed insulation cover that matches the tank's curvature, maintaining fluid integrity and preventing environmental exposure.

Implementation Method 1

The panels are designed to float on the surface of the liquid rather than being attached to the tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

an insulation system for covering the surface of a liquid in a tank... made of foam and hard plastic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS9334106B2Insulating tank cover

Publication Date: 2016.05.10 JORDAN TRAVIS

AI summary

An insulative cover for large tanks containing a fluid. The insulative cover utilizes rectangular panels to cover a majority of the fluid surface and trapezoidal or wedge shaped panels to form a ring around the rectangular panels. Each panel utilizes a locking rim to allow the panels to interlock when installed. In this way the rectangular panels cover the main surface but leaves spaces where the rectangular panels do not match with the curvature of the tank. These spaces are covered by the trapezoidal panels.