Underground Sump Layout for Complete Above-Ground Tank Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for filling and draining large above-ground water tanks, such as fracking water storage tanks, require significant energy and labor, and are inefficient in completely emptying the tank for relocation, often necessitating expensive vacuum operations.
Innovation Solution
An underground sump system utilizing headwater pressure for complete drainage, with a watertight seal from the liner to the sump, an accessible flange for hose hookup, and a suction means for emptying the sump, allowing for reduced energy and labor costs, and faster tank disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional fill/drain hoses are used with pumps, then water can be moved in and out of the tank, but significant energy and labor are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the tank's own headwater pressure to drain itself into the sump without external pumps. The water flows naturally from the tank through the liner connection to the sump, eliminating the need for energy-consuming pumping equipment while maintaining high drainage efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical dimension by placing the sump underground below the tank base. This elevation difference creates the necessary headwater pressure gradient that enables gravity-driven flow from the tank to the sump, resolving the energy efficiency contradiction
2Quantity of substance
If traditional hoses are used for draining, then water can be removed from the tank, but complete emptying is difficult and expensive vacuum operations are needed for relocation
Solution Approach 1:
The underground sump positioned below the tank enables complete self-draining of the tank through gravity flow. The liner connects the tank bottom to the sump, allowing water to flow naturally until the tank is completely empty, eliminating the need for expensive vacuum operations during relocation
Solution Approach 2:
The sump acts as an intermediary reservoir between the tank and the ground. It collects all discharged water and can be easily emptied using a shop vacuum through the accessible flange, making the relocation process simple and cost-effective while achieving complete water removal
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fill/drain hoses are draped over the tank edge, then fill and drain operations can be performed, but labor and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for multiple hoses by creating a permanent underground sump with a single connection point to the tank. The sump provides both fill and drain functionality through its dual ports, reducing material costs and simplifying operations while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The underground sump serves multiple functions: it acts as a drain receptacle, a fill source, and a complete water collection system. The dual-ported design allows one sump to handle both incoming fill water and outgoing drain water, eliminating the need for separate hoses and reducing labor and material requirements
4Adaptability or versatility
If the tank is to be relocated, then the tank can be moved to a new location, but significant time is required to tear down and reassemble the large tank
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the water management function from the tank structure itself by introducing a separate underground sump. The sump remains fixed while the tank can be relocated independently, and the liner connection allows quick disconnection and reconnection, significantly reducing disassembly and reassembly time
Solution Approach 2:
The underground sump serves as a permanent intermediary infrastructure that remains at the site while the tank is relocated. The liner connection acts as a removable interface between the movable tank and the fixed sump, enabling rapid disconnection during relocation and reducing overall project time
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 solution significantly reduces energy, labor, and material costs while minimizing the time required to empty and relocate the tank, enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
An underground sump system utilizing headwater pressure for complete drainage
Implementation Method 2
a suction means for emptying the sump for relocation
Data Source
AI summary
A trench is dug under an above ground water storage tank either before erection of the walls or after the wall is erected. A (rectangular) sump is preferably made of ¼ inch steel. It serves as a conduit from an inner tank liner port to an outside tank fill or drain port. The system eliminates hoses hung over the top edge of the tank wall. A pump can fill the tank from the outer port. The tank can be drained using head pressure of the water and/or a pump.