Fluid Containment Basin With Composite Membrane And Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current environmental protection systems in the oil and gas exploration and extraction industries lack consistency and effectiveness, particularly in managing large volumes of fluids and chemicals used in horizontal well fracking, leading to inadequate containment and potential environmental hazards.
Innovation Solution
A catch basin and fluid management system featuring a basin with side walls, a berm, a buffer layer, an impermeable membrane, and drainage stone, which captures and contains precipitation and effluent, preventing leakage and allowing for reuse or processing of fluids, with a leak detection system for monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flexible plastic sheet is used as a protective layer, then ease of installation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to susceptibility to tire damage and puncturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple protective layers with different properties: a rigid outer layer (such as concrete or metal) provides structural strength and resistance to tire damage and puncturing, while an inner flexible layer (such as plastic or rubber) provides impermeability and ease of installation. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating the advantages of both rigid and flexible materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by placing a cushioning layer (such as foam or air gaps) between the rigid outer layer and the flexible inner layer. This cushioning layer absorbs impact forces from vehicles and equipment, preventing direct transmission of stresses to the impermeable membrane, thereby maintaining both reliability and ease of installation.
2Reliability
If impermeable liners are installed within dikes, then reliability is improved for fluid containment, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the dike structure and impermeable liner into a single integrated component. The impermeable membrane is directly incorporated into the dike wall structure, eliminating the need for separate liner installations and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable fluid containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional dike structure that simultaneously provides structural support, fluid containment, and protection. The integrated impermeable liner serves multiple purposes: preventing fluid leakage, maintaining dike integrity, and simplifying installation procedures, thereby reducing device complexity while improving reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If membranes are replaced during well workover, then adaptability is improved for new drilling locations, but loss of time increases due to repeated installation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-installing the impermeable membrane and cushioning layer during the initial dike construction, before any drilling operations begin. This preliminary installation eliminates the need for subsequent membrane replacements during well workovers, reducing time loss while maintaining adaptability to new drilling locations through the permanent dike structure.
4Device complexity
If visual detection methods are used for leak detection, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates for detecting leaks at large volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (such as dye, fluorescent tracers, or radioactive isotopes) that mixes with the fluid in the dike. This intermediary makes leaks visible and detectable through visual inspection or monitoring equipment, significantly improving measurement precision for leak detection while keeping the overall system relatively simple. The intermediary acts as a mediator between the fluid and the detection method.
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 provides 100% containment of spills and leaks, reduces environmental pollution, and offers a safer work environment by preventing fluid seepage and accumulation, enabling efficient fluid reuse and processing, while being modular and extendable for various site configurations.
Implementation Method 1
an impermeable membrane placed over the buffer layer and extending along the side walls of the basin and over at least portions of the berm
Implementation Method 2
drainage stone placed over the impermeable membrane and filling the basin
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for containing and managing fluids produced at a work site, such as an oil or gas drilling site, includes one or more fluid containments formed as a basin for collecting and retaining fluids, a berm forming a perimeter of the containments, a layer of sand placed over each basin, a fluid-impermeable membrane placed over the layer of sand, and drainage stone placed over the membrane, filling the basin. A geotextile fabric can be placed over the membrane to help protect the membrane from adverse affects of the drainage stone. A leak detection system can be coupled with the membrane to identify potential leaks in a containment system. One or more catch basins can extend through the basin and the drainage stone filling the basin, to receive fluids. A drainage system is placed in fluid communication with the catch basins to drain fluids from a containment.