A double wall, light-weight tank construction for the storage of flammable liquids is formed from two conventional steel tanks having flame proof, curable cementitious insulative material between the walls. Spacers preformed preferably of the same cementitious material are glued about the exterior surface of a conventional inner tank having ports. An exterior tank is formed with one end cover being detachable. Apertures are cut in the exterior tank to align with the ports of the inner tank when it is in its final nested position within the exterior tank. Stoppers and vents are placed in a sidewall of the exterior tank. Both tanks are oriented vertically, and the interior tank is then lowered into the exterior tank with concentric alignment provided by the spacers. Nipples are then attached to the ports, and rings are placed over the nipples and welded to the nipples and the exterior tank. The detached end cover is welded to the exterior tank. The assembled tanks are placed horizontally or may remain vertically aligned. Mixed cementitious insulating material in plastic-phase is then pumped upwardly via the sidewall or the bottom stopper to fill the space between the tanks in a single application. The cementitious material is then cured, excess moisture is drained away, and the stoppers and vents are sealed to complete the tank construction.
RELATED APPLICATION
This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/510,018, filed on Apr. 17, 1990, now abandoned, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
A liquid container for the above-ground storage of flammable fuels is shown having an inner tank with a bottom surface, side surfaces, and a top surface placed within an outer shell having a bottom surface and side surfaces, The bottom surfaces of the inner tank and outer shell are spaced apart from each other by first bottom spacers which connect the two bottom surfaces. The side walls of the inner tank and outer shell are also spaced apart from each other by second side spacers which connect the tank and shell. The bottom and side spacers for connecting the tank and shell prevent the inner tank from floating within the outer shell when an insulating material, such as concrete, is added therebetween.
Inner and outer welded steel protective tanks are separated by a space containing a granular insulating material such as perlite preventing excessive heating of fuel in a storage space in the inner tank, even when there is a fire at the site. The inner tank may be subdivided into portions by a partition defining a storage space and an overfill containment space receiving overflow from the storage space portion, with a sensor detecting overflow. The overflow containment space is also arranged to collect separated fuel when the tank system is used with a vapor recovery system. The granular insulating material acts as an explosion suppressant by dissipating heat and fuel vapors which may be present in the insulation space as a result of leakage from the inner tank. A triple walled tank of increased reliability against spills and penetration resistance is provided by a two closely spaced inner tanks within the insulation. Insulated tank saddles provide fire protection for the tank support.
A tank assembly which includes an inner storage tank and a surrounding outer containment tank with said tanks defining a substantially uniform space therebetween. The space is filled with a cured light weight porous monolithic insulating material having a porosity sufficient to allow liquid and vapors to migrate through said insulating material to a monitoring point, or points contained within said space. Means are provided for monitoring liquid and vapors located at said monitoring point or points, with the insulating material freely permitting vapors to migrate to an emergency vent port without over pressurization build-up within said space.
A tank assembly which includes an inner storage tank and a surrounding outer containment tank with said tanks defining a substantially uniform space therebetween. The space is filled with a cured light weight porous monolithic insulating material having a porosity sufficient to allow liquid and vapors to migrate through said insulating material to a monitoring point, or points contained within said space. Means are provided for monitoring liquid and vapors located at said monitoring point or points, with the insulating material freely permitting vapors to migrate to an emergency vent port without over pressurization build-up within said space.
An improved portable fueling facility for aircraft or ground vehicles includes at least one storage tank, an outer tank for providing secondary containment about the storage tanks, a number of saddle members for supporting the outer tank on a flat horizontal surface and a pump for dispensing fuel. A deck compartment may be provided beneath the pumps for providing secondary containment about the supply pipes which are used to supply the pumps and the refueling tubes which are used to refuel the storage tanks. The entire facility is portable, so that it may be redeployed at different locations or airports as needed. Fire retardant material may also be provided between the storage tank and the outer tank to prevent flames from reaching the storage tank during an emergency.
