-- 1 ~36~-J- --1 Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of underground storage tanks and, more specifically, to a secondary containment capsule for providing added leakage protection and leakage detection capabilities for underground petroleum storage tanks.
2. Prior Art In recent years, concerns have been raised over the environmentally hazardous leakage of petroleum products from insecure underground storage tanks. Several states have adopted laws requiring new underground tanks to provide some form of secondary containment to prevent leakage from eingle wall tanks.
Some state codes also require that such new tanks incorporate a leak detection means capable of detecting leakage of the stored product from the primary containment means into the secondary containment means or leakage of ground water or other liquids from outside the secondary containment means through the secondary container to provide advanced warning of any leakage.
One way to provide secondary containment for ~ primary storage tank is to form a second tank or envelope around the first tank, creating, in essence, a double walled tank. Several kinds of such double walled tanks are known in the prior art.
A tank having a rigid rteel or fiberglass (fiberglass reinforced plastic or FRP) inner tank and a flexible, polyethylene outer jacket is disclosed by U. S. Patent No. 4,607,522. U. S. Patent 1 336~01 1 No. 4,561,292 discloses a tank having two fiberglass walls, the second fiberglass wall being formed by applying a fiberglass layer over a grid of plastic mats separated by fiberglass ribs.
U. S. Patent No. 4,537,328 discloses a tank with a steel inner tank and a fiberglass outer tank, the fiberglass outer tank being formed by applying fiberglass sheets over a grid of semicircular PVC pipe segments attached to the surface of the inner steel tank. Other double walled storage tank designs are disclosed by U. S. Patent Nos. 4,568,925 and 4,523,454.
Although the double wall tanks of the prior art provide a greater degree of leakage protection than single walled tanks, they are also more difficult to manufacture and more expensive.
In the prior art, the secondary tanks are custom formed directly on the primary tank, requiring the use of large fixtures for holding the primary tank while the secondary tank is being formed. Mass production of the secondary tank, separately from the primary tank, is therefore not possible.
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1 336~0 1 -1 Brief Summary of the Invention The present invention comprises a secondary containment capsule for enclosing primary storage tanks made of one or more plurality standard axial portions and end caps. Each of these segments are separately molded from a curable plastic material such as a fiberglass reinforced plastic. Axial segments are separately slid over the primary tank and ~oined together at their mating ends, forming a longitudinal cylinder covering the longitudinal sides of the primary tank. The molded end caps are placed over the outer ends of the longitudinal cylinder formed by -the axial segments to completely enclose the primary tank. Thesame end caps and axial segments can be used for enclosing primary tanks having the same diameter but different lengths.
To enhance fluid migration in the interstice between the outer surface of the primary tank and the inner surface of the secondary containment capsule, at least a portion of the inside surfaces of the molded exterior containment capsule segments may be textured by applying a texturing agent or by incorporating a textured surface in the mold from which the capsule segments are formed. Such texturing ensures that, at 20 locations where the outside wall of the primary tank rests on or is in contact with the inner wall of the exterior containment capsule, spaces or cavities remain to allow the migration of fluid between the two walls. The texturing agent may comprise a mixture of polyester res~n and glass beads, sand, or other 25 particles such that the mixture will adhere to the interior walls of the secondary containment capsule and will form a rough 1 336~01 1 surface. Alternatively, the 6urface texture of the segments as formed may be sufficiently rough without the need of any added texture.
The present invention therefore allows the mass production of axial cylindrical ~ections and end cap 6ections that can be used to provide secondary containment for various lengths of primary tanks of like diameter. The invention does not require the use of large molds, or complicated fixtures to hold the primary tank for the secondary envelope to be applied. The invention also eliminates the need for a separate interstitial o eeparator to maintain an interstice between the primary and 6econdary containers to allow migration of fluid between the two containers to allow leak detection.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the 6econdary containment capsule comprises two preformed halves that are placed over the primary tank from either end and ~oined at the middle. In a still further embodiment, the one or more 6ubstantially cylindrical sections of the secondary containment capsule are formed on a male mold and split longitudinally for removal from the mold. Such section or sections are then clamped 20 around the primary storage tank and rejoined on the 6plit, with molded end caps also being bonded in place. This facilitates removal of the 6ection from a suitably textured mold, easy placement of the split section over the tank and the light clamping of the 6ection around the tank until re~oined, 25 providing the desired fluid migration space between the tank and the containment capsule without looseness therebetween.
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1 In another aspect, the present invention relates to a double wall storage tank comprising: a steel inner tank having first and second ends and a substantially cylindrical center section; a precured fiber reinforced plastic resin center section tightly wrapped around said center section of said steel tank and bonded together; a texturing agent deposited on an inner surface of said plastic center section after the molding thereof, said texturing agent including a mixture of binder and solid materials, said texturing agent being deposited on said inner surface after said plastic center section is molded; and first and second precured fiber reinforced plastic resin end caps positioned over said first and second ends of said steel inner tank and banded to the plastic center section.
In a still further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for forming a secondary containment capsule for a primary fluid storage container, said primary container comprising first and second ends and a longitudinal middle portion, said secondary containment capsule comprising first and second halves slideably mountable over said first and second ends of said primary container such that said first and second halves of said secondary containment capsule can completely encompass said primary container, said first and second halves of said secondary containment capsule each comprising a free end, said free ends of said first and second halves abutting each other when said first and second halves are mounted on said primary container, said method comprising the steps of: providing mold means for forming said first and 4a - 1 336~01 1 second secondary containment capsule halves; forming each of said first and second capsule halves by applying a curable plastic material to said mold means, allowing said curable plastic material to substantially cure, and removing said substantially cured capsule halves from said mold means;
applying a texturizing agent to the inner surfaces of said first and second capsule halves subsequent to said formation of said capsule halves, said texturing agent including a mixture of a binder and solid particles for creating interstices that enhance fluid migration between the inner surfaces of said capsule halves and the outer surface of said primary container;
slideably mounting said first and second capsule halves over said first and second ends of said primary container such that said first and second halves abut each other and completely encompass said primary container; and applying a curable plastic material over said abutting ends of said first and second halves.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of forming a secondary containment capsule comprising first and second end cap sections and at least one middle section, said method comprising the steps of: providing a primary container; providing mold means for forming said end cap sections and middle sections, said mold means for said middle sections comprising male mold means; forming each of said end cap sections and middle sections by applying a curable plastic material to said mold means and allowing said curable plastic material to substantially cure; forming a longitudinal cut from a first end to a second end of each of said middle B~ 4b 1 336~0 ~
1 sections to allow said middle section to be separated from its male mold means; removing said end cap sections and middle sections from said mold means; applying a texturizing agent to the inner surfaces of said end cap and middle sections subsequent to said formation of said sections, said texturizing agent including a mixture of a binder and solid particles;
mounting said end cap sections and said middle sections adjacent to each other over said primary container so as to substantially completely encompass said container, said textured surface for enhancing fluid migration in the interstices between the inner surfaces of said at least one middle section and the outer surface of said primary container;
and applying a joining means over adjacent ends of said end cap sections and said middle sections and over the longitudinal cuts.
In still another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of forming a secondary containment capsule comprising first and second end cap sections and at least one middle section, said method comprising the steps of: providing a primary container; applying a texturizing agent to at least a portion of the outer surface of said primary container after said primary container is provided, said texturizing agent including a mixture of a binder and solid particles; providing mold means for forming said end cap sections and middle sections, said mold means for said middle sections comprising male mold means; forming each of said end cap sections and middle sections by applying a curable plastic material to said mold means and allowing said curable plastic material to 4c 1 336~01 1 substantially cure; forming a longitudinal cut from a first end to a second end of each of said middle sections to allow said middle section to be separated from its male mold means;
removing said end cap sections and middle sections from mold means; mounting said end cap sections and said middle sections adjacent to each other over said primary container so as to substantially completely encompass said container, said textured surface for enhancing fluid migration in the interstices between the inner surface of said at least one middle section and the outer surface of said primary container;
and applying a joining means over adjacent ends of said end cap sections and said middle sections and over the longitudinal cuts.
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-- 1 336~01 1 Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of one embodiment of the 6econdary containment capsule of the present invention to a primary 6torage tank.
Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a 6econd embodiment of the present invention in its fully assembled form.
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of a ~torage tank comprising a third embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 i8 a sectional view of a 6torage tank comprising a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5a is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a male mold used to form the 6econdary containment capsule of the present invention mounted on a rotating positioner.
Figure 5b i8 a 6ide view illustrating the mold and positioner of Figure 5a.
Figure 6 i6 a perspective view illustrating the formation of one embodiment of the secondary containment capsule of the present invention utilizing a female mold.
Figure 7 is a ~ectional view of one embodiment of the present invention illustrating the application of the texturing 20 agent.
Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
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1 Detailed Description of the Invention An improved secondary containment vessel for underground 6torage tanks and a method for making the same are disclosed. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth, 6uch as specific materials, arrangements and proportions in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without these ~pecific details. In other instances, well known articles, such as primary storage tanks, fiberglass mats, and chopper guns have not been described in detail in order not to obscure the present invention unnecessarily.
Figure 1 illustrates the assembly of one embodiment of the present invention to a primary 6torage tank, which may be made of steel, fiberglass, or other conventional materials. The present invention comprises preformed fiberglass capsule sections 30 and 32 that are assembled to a primary tank 34. Capsule section 30 comprises a hollow cylindrical section 36 and integrally formed end cap sectlon 40. Capsule section 32 6imilarly comprises hollow cylindrical portion 38 and integrally formed end cap section 42. End cap sections 40 and 42 may be flat so as to correspond to the contour of primary tank 34, or may be hemispherical, dished, or otherwise shaped for greater structural strength. Each of capsule sections 30 and 32 are preformed on either male or female molds and substantially cured prior to assembly to primary storage tank 34. Capsule sections 30 and 32 are sized to slide over the ends of primary tank 34 such that their free edges 44 and 46, respectively, meet,at about the middle of primary tank 34. (It will be noted that Figure 1 -1 336~01 1 illustrates the position of capsule sections 30 and 32 before they have been fully mounted to primary tank 34 such that a space remains bètween free ends 44 and 46.) Referring next to Figure 2, after capsule sections 30 and 32 are fully mounted on primary tank 34 (not visible in Figure 2), a fiberglass ~oint 60 i8 formed to join together capsule segments 30 and 32. Joint 60 may be formed by applying several layers of resin impregnated fiberglass mats. Alternatively, joint 60 can be formed by applying a chopped fiberglass and resin mixture, preferably with a chopper gun, over the interface. Openings 62 can be cut in the top of the completed secondary containment capsule at the desired locations for any pipe fitting 64. Several layers of resin impregnated fiberglass mat or a chopped fiberglass and resin mixture are applied around fittings 64 to seal openings 62.
Figures 5a and 5b illustrate one embodiment of a male mold used to form capsule segment 30 of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. Male mold 110, which may be a deflatable or collapsible mold as is well known in the prior art, is mounted to mounting plate 114 attached to arbor 120 of rotating positioner 116.
Rotating positioner 116 allows rotation of male mold 110 around an axis whose orientation can be changed from a horizontal to a vertical position, or any orientation therebetween. Resin impregnated fiberglass mats or a chopped fiberglass mixture are applied to the outside of male mold 110 as it is being rotated around its longitudinal axis by rotating positioner 116. Slow rotation of male mold 110 ensures that an even fiberglass layer is applied and that the applied fiberglass layer retains an even thickness during curing. Once the applied fiberglass layer has ` - 1 336~0 1 1 cured, male mold 110 is deflated or collapsed, and completed capsule section 30 is removed.
In the present invention, the same mold may be used to form both capsule sections 30 and 32, or separate molds can be used for each.
Figure 6 illustrates how a female mold i6 used to form the capsule sections of the present embodiment. Female mold 140 is again mounted on rotating positioner 116 such that it can be rotated around its longitudinal axis in a horizontal position. A
fiberglass layer is then applied to the inside of the mold. This fiberglass layer may consist of hand laid fiberglass mats impregnated with a polyester or other resin, preferably a thermosetting resin, or a chopped fiberglass and resin mixture may be applied by means of a chopper gun or other spraying device (represented by item 142 in Figure 6). As in the previous embodiment, female mold 140 is slowly rotated, both during application of the fiberglass and during curing, to ensure an even application of the fiberglass layer and to prevent sagging of the applied fiberglass during curing.
For purposes of the present invention, the use of female molds has several advantages over the use of male molds. First, the female mold can be constructed as a simple rigid structure, while the male mold must be collapsible. The male mold must be collapsible because fiberglass shrinks as it cures, and if the mold were rigid, the cured fiberglass would fit ~o tightly onto 25 the ~old that it could not be removed. With the female mold~
however, the shrinkage of the fiberglass as lt cures tends to loosen the formed fiberglass capsule from the mold, thereby 1 336~0 _9 1 ~acilitatlng separation of the formed fiberglass capsule from the mold.
Second, the use of a female mold results in a fiberglass caps~le having a smooth outer surface that corresponds to the inside surface of the mold, and a rougher, textured inside æurface formed by the applied fiberglass mats or chopped fiber/resin mixture. This textured surface creates a myriad of small cavities and channels that permits a migration of fluid between the primary tank and the secondary containment capsule after the capsule has been fully assembled to the primary tank.
suc~ flu~ m~gration ~s important to allow the detection of any leakage of fluid through either the primary tank or the secondary containment capsule into the interstice between the primary tank and the secondary containment capsule. If leaking fluid is free to migrate, it will collect at the bottom of the tank, where it can be detected by a sensor. As shown in Figure 2, the present invention may include a leaXage detector access channel 56 formed as part of the end caps of one or both capsule sections. Access channel 56 is simply a hollow passage leading from the top to the bottom of the enclosed tank. If a leak occurs, the leaking fluid will gather at the bottom of the tank and eventually appear in the bottom of detector access channel 56, thereby triggering a leakage detection device which may be placed at the bottom of access channel 56. Such a leakage detection device may comprise an electronic or other sensor, or a leakage detection fluid which changes color or whose level changes in the access channel 56 as a result of leakage.
Figures 3, 4 and 8 illustrate alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the secondary containment capsule 1 336~0 ~
1~ -1 comprises two molded end caps and one or more molded cylindrical axial sections. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the secondary containment capsule comprises end caps 86 and 88, and axial sections 80, 82, and 84. Each of the end caps and axial 6ections are preformed as in the previous embodiment by applying fiberglass to a male or female mold. The 6maller size of each of these segments, as compared to the two capsule halves of the previous embodiments, makes the segments easier to form and easier to assemble to the primary tank. In addition, smaller molds and mold rotating devices can be used. Each segment preferably includes a lip 83 that overlaps the edge of an adjacent segment, thereby forming a lap joint. After ad~acent segments have been mounted on primary tan~ 90, fiberglass in the form of mats or chopped fibers and resin can be applied over the lips 83 to form a joint 92 between adjacent capsule segments.
The lips can either be located on the outsides of the containment capsule segment as illustrated in Figure 3, or on the inside as indicated by Item 183 in Figure 4. Placing lips on the inside creates an interstice 85 between the walls of the primary tank and the secondary containment capsule, which can facilitate fluid migration.
Figure 8 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention in which the secondary containment capsule comprises end caps 186 and 188 and a single axial segment 180. In this embodiment, axial segment 180 may initially be formed on a mold such that it has a wall thickness substantially less than its intended finished wall thickness to facilitate removal from the mold and application of axial segment 180 to the prima~y tank, or preferably axial segment 180 can be molded to its final finished 1 336~01 1 thickness. For example, axial segment 180 may be molded to have an initial wall thickness of between 25% and 100% of the intended finished wall thickness of the 6econdary containment capsule.
After axial segment 180 is substantially cured, a longitudinal cut 176 is made along one 6ide of axial segment 180. Even if the thickness of axial segment 180 is the full intended wall thickness, axial segment 180 is flexible enough that it can be removed from its mold and wrapped around the primary tank, once cut 176 is made, by bending apart the edges of cut 176. The mounting of axial segment 180 onto the primary tank i6 thereby greatly facilitated. After axial segment 180 (or a number of shorter segments) has been tightly wrapped around the primary tank, adhesive tape, such as polyethylene tape, can be applied over cut 176 to 6eal the cut edges together. Por this purpose, tape having a width of 3/4" is convenient. The elasticity of axial segment 180 biases the edges together such that additional means to hold the cut edges together are generally not required.
End caps 186 and 188, which may also initially be molded to only about 2S% of their finished thickness, but preferably molded to their final thickness, are mounted on the ends of the primary tank, and the joints between end caps 188 and 186 and axial segment 180 may also be sealed with polyethylene or other adhesive tape. Fiberglass, in the form of resin impregnated mats or f1laments or a chopped fiber and resin mixture, is then applied over the joint areas welding end caps 186 and 188 and axial segment 180 together. Preferabaly a weld area approximately 8" wide is formed. If the capsule wa6 initially molded to a thickness less than its intended finished thickne6s, additional fiberglass will be applied over the whole outside RWB/TRUSCOl5.CIP
1 336~01 1 surface of the secondary containment capsule, building up the wall thickness of the secondary containment capsule to its final value. Preferably, in this case, a chopped fiber and resin mixture is applied with a chopper gun while the tank is slowly being rotated on rollers. It should be noted that the previous embodiments of the present invention described above can also be formed by this same process.
Fluid migration can be enhanced by texturing the inside eurfaces of the secondary containment capsules, especially along the lower sections of the capsules on which the primary tank rests as indicated by angle A in Figure 7. Such surface texturing may be molded into a ~egment if a male mold is used, as the axial splitting of the segments allows easy removal from the mold in spite of the texturing, or a texturing agent may be applied to the segment after it has been formed.
Molded textures may include patterns of bumps, ridges, grooves or other projections or depressions that maintain a space between the secondary capsule and the primary tank. When used with the embodiment of Figure 8, such texturing allows a tight fit to be maintained between the secondary capsule and the primary tank, allowing the secondary capsule to obtain structural support from the primary tank while still providing for adequate fluid migration.
Such molded textures are formed by forming appropriate patterns in the surface of the male mold used to form the segment. When fiberglass is applied to the mold, a correspondlng textured surface will result on the inside surface of the molded segment. In the preferred embodiment, the textured surface comprises a plurality of small, clrcular protrusions 1 336~01 1 ~ -1 approximately half an inch in diameter and approximately 1/32 inch in height arranged in parallel rows and spaced approximately two inches apart.
If a texturing agent is used, the texturing agent may comprise a mixture of glass fibers and resin, or a mixture of solid particles such as crushed rock, pea gravel, metal pellets, crushed walnut shell, glass beads, sand and resin or any other binder which will adhere to the interior walls of the secondary containment capsule. The texturing agent may be applied evenly or in a furrowed pattern to only the lower portions of the inside surfaces of the secondary containment capsule segments, lndicated by angle A in Figure 7, or the texturing agent may be applied to the entire inside surfaces. Angle A may therefore vary from approximately 30 to 360 degrees.
Texturing may also be accomplished by grooving or abrading the surface with a grinding or milling tool or by abrasive blasting such as sand blasting. Texturing may also be applied to the outside surface of the primary tank in addition to or instead of the inside of the secondary containment capsule, or the primary tank may be made of a material such as diamond plate steel that incorporates a textured pattern in its surface.
Accordingly, a novel secondary containment enclosure for underground storage tank and a method for fabricating the same has been presented. The present invention provides a combination of improved leak protection and ease of fabrication and versatility that was not available in the prior art. Although ~pecific details are described herein, it will be understood that various changes can be made in the materials, details, arrangements and proportions of the various elements of the 1 336~0 1 1 present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although the specification refers primarily to the use of a cylindrical primary tank and cylindrical secondary containment capsule, other shapes can also be used. Other kinds of rotating fixtures can be used other than the rotating positioner illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, such as for instance, simple rollers on which a female mold can be rotated. In addition to glass fibers, various other kinds of fibers such as Revlar TM or graphite fibers can be used. The capsule segments can be molded from other curable plastic materials other than polyester resin and fiber mixtures. Other variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
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