Modular Plastic Containment Dike with Inclined Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing secondary containment systems for hazardous materials are labor-intensive, costly, and difficult to assemble, with trapezoidal cross-section members that do not effectively resist surge flows, and are heavy, making them challenging to transport and deploy, especially in remote or tight industrial locations.
Innovation Solution
A modular containment system with easily assembled straight and curved members made of moldable plastic, featuring a hollow construction with reinforcing ribs and inclined side walls to redirect liquid flows, and an impermeable liner secured with a resilient clip, designed to be lightweight and easily deployable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If glass fiber reinforced plastic members with integrally formed posts and receivers are used, then the containment system provides sturdy construction, but the members become heavy and labor intensive to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The containment system is divided into separate components: straight members, curved members, and base members that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while reducing overall complexity and weight compared to monolithic glass fiber reinforced structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simpler, lighter plastic members that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, rather than using heavy, durable glass fiber reinforced plastics. This approach prioritizes ease of assembly and transportation over long-term durability, suitable for applications where the containment system may be relocated or reconfigured.
2Ease of manufacture
If trapezoidal cross-section members are used, then the members can be easily manufactured, but they do not resist surge flows and may facilitate overrun and escape of impacting flows
Solution Approach 1:
The containment members feature curved, rounded profiles rather than sharp angular trapezoidal shapes. The curved surfaces help deflect and redirect surge flows along the contour of the members, preventing flow concentration at corners and improving overall surge resistance while maintaining manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the containment members, specifically the cross-sectional shape and wall angles, to optimize flow resistance. By adjusting these parameters, the members can effectively redirect liquid flows while remaining easy to manufacture from standard materials.
3Strength
If heavy members are used to provide sturdy construction, then the containment system is structurally sound, but transportation and deployment become challenging especially in remote locations
Solution Approach 1:
The containment system is divided into multiple lightweight segments that can be individually transported and assembled on-site. This segmentation enables manual handling and transportation to remote locations while maintaining structural integrity through proper interconnection of the segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite plastic materials that provide adequate structural strength with reduced weight compared to traditional glass fiber reinforced plastics. These composite materials offer a favorable strength-to-weight ratio, enabling sturdy construction that is also easy to transport and deploy.
4Reliability
If multiple complex components are used to ensure assembly stability, then the containment system is reliable, but the assembly process becomes time consuming and requires skilled personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The containment members are designed with integrated features that combine multiple functions into single components. For example, the members incorporate both structural support and interconnection features in unified designs, reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The interconnection mechanisms are designed to be self-aligning and self-securing, allowing unskilled personnel to assemble the containment system quickly without requiring specialized tools or expertise. The modular design with standardized interfaces enables intuitive assembly that ensures stability automatically.
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 significantly reduces fabrication costs, is easier to assemble and transport, and effectively contains and redirects liquid flows, providing improved resistance to surge pressures and preventing significant liquid overflows.
Implementation Method 1
The inclined side wall slopes toward the contained material or into the path of a likely flow of material to be contained... The inclined side wall tends to contain and redirect a liquid flow directed toward or impinged upon the member
Implementation Method 2
The members are constructed to provide at least one inclined side wall... The rigidity of the members is increased by forming separate reinforcing ribs in the side wall
Data Source
AI summary
A modular dike or barrier assembly includes straight and curved members that may be interconnected to form a barrier or dike wall surrounding a primary container. The members are hollow and include opposed side walls having integrally formed reinforcing ribs. The side walls extend at an acute angle relative to the base of the barrier to contain and redirect a surge flow directed toward the dike or barrier assembly. The interior surfaces of the side walls are closely spaced at locations spaced from the ribs and tend to abut for added wall reinforcement upon application of wall deflecting loads.