Polyurea-Coated Liner Secondary Containment for Storage Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an efficient, effective, and inexpensive method to build a secondary containment area for above ground storage tanks in the oil and gas industry to prevent environmental contamination from spills or leaks of corrosive produced water.
Innovation Solution
The method involves leveling the site, laying a foundation bed, building a retaining wall, covering it with a cloth liner, and coating the retaining wall and liner with a polyurea elastomer spray to create a containment structure capable of holding at least 110% of the AST's volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional methods are used to build secondary containment areas, then the containment structure can be constructed, but the construction cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible liner material (such as HDPE or PVC) as the primary containment barrier instead of traditional rigid concrete structures. This flexible film approach simplifies construction while maintaining containment reliability, allowing the liner to conform to the containment area shape and provide effective spill containment without complex formwork or curing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The containment structure employs composite construction by combining the flexible liner material with a coating system (such as polyurethane or epoxy coatings) applied over the liner. This composite approach enhances containment reliability through multiple protective layers while keeping the overall structure simpler than traditional concrete containment, reducing construction complexity
2Reliability
If traditional containment structures are built, then spill containment is achieved, but construction time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible liner is pre-fabricated and prepared before installation, allowing for off-site manufacturing and quality control. This preliminary action reduces on-site construction time while ensuring the containment structure meets reliability requirements for spill containment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical construction methods (concrete pouring, formwork, curing) with a flexible liner installation system that can be quickly deployed. This substitution dramatically reduces construction time while maintaining containment reliability through the inherent properties of the flexible material
3Ease of manufacture
If simple containment structures are used, then construction is faster and cheaper, but containment reliability and corrosion resistance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The containment structure uses a composite system combining the flexible liner with protective coatings (polyurethane, epoxy, or other corrosion-resistant materials). This composite approach maintains construction ease and speed while significantly improving corrosion resistance and containment reliability against produced water
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the surface properties of the containment structure by applying coatings that change the chemical and physical parameters of the material surface. These parameter changes enhance corrosion resistance and chemical compatibility with produced water while maintaining the simplicity and ease of construction of the flexible liner system
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
This approach provides a cost-effective and reliable containment system that prevents spills and leaks from contaminating the environment, ensuring compliance with regulations by effectively collecting and managing produced water from ASTs.
Implementation Method 1
coating the retaining wall and cloth liner with a polyurea elastomer spray
Data Source
AI summary
The method of the present invention results in a secondary containment area for above ground storage tanks. The method involves leveling the site, laying a foundation bed, building a retaining barrier around the site, covering the foundation bed and retaining barrier with a liner cloth, and applying a layer of polyurea to the liner cloth and retaining barrier.