Modular Frame and Liner for Liquid Shipping Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intermodal shipping containers are not suitable for use as liquid holding tanks due to non-liquid-tight walls and joints, lack of support for hydraulic loads, and corrosion issues in wastewater treatment environments, which limits their effectiveness and maintenance accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A scalable, modular receptacle system is designed with a frame structure and impermeable liner to support hydraulic loads, isolate corrosion-sensitive materials, and provide complete access and fall protection, allowing for customizable tank sizes and depths within an intermodal shipping container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If unmodified intermodal shipping containers are used, then transportability and protection are maintained, but the containers cannot hold liquid due to non-liquid-tight walls and joints
Solution Approach 1:
An impermeable liner is installed within the shipping container to create a liquid-tight barrier. The liner conforms to the container's interior surfaces and is secured to prevent leakage, enabling the container to hold liquid without modifying the container's structural walls or joints.
2Adaptability or versatility
If light gauge steel containers are used, then transportability is maintained, but they cannot support hydraulic loads of liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The impermeable liner acts as a flexible barrier that contains the liquid while distributing hydraulic loads across the container floor and walls. The liner's flexibility allows it to conform to the container structure without requiring the container walls to bear the full hydraulic pressure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If containers are modified to support hydraulic loads and insulate from environment, then liquid holding capability is improved, but corrosion-prone components are not fully isolated and maintenance access is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The impermeable liner completely isolates corrosion-sensitive components from contact with the liquid, creating a protective barrier that prevents corrosion. The liner can be removed or accessed independently of the container structure, allowing full maintenance access to both the liner and container components.
4Reliability
If spray-on coatings are applied to steel containers, then initial corrosion protection is provided, but coatings deteriorate over time causing leakage in wastewater environments
Solution Approach 1:
The impermeable liner provides a permanent, corrosion-resistant barrier that replaces the temporary spray-on coating. The liner is specifically designed to withstand prolonged exposure to wastewater environments without deteriorating, eliminating the need for periodic coating maintenance or replacement.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for treating wastewater includes an intermodal shipping container and a scalable, modular receptacle spaced apart from interior walls of the container. The receptacle includes a plurality of frame structures spaced apart from one another. The frame structures each include two elongate frame members that are spaced apart from one another and that extend in parallel. The receptacle further includes an insulation member supported between the frame members of adjacent frame structures. The insulation member defines an inner surface that is coplanar with inner surfaces of the frame members. The receptacle further includes an impermeable liner that is configured to hold a large volume of liquid. The liner has a liner wall that is positioned against the inner surface of the insulation member and the inner surfaces of the frame members to support the liner wall against a hydraulic load of the liquid.