AU2016297699B2 - Containment system - Google Patents

Abstract

A containment system having a flexible bladder and a support structure. The bladder has at least one opening through which material can be pumped into or out of the bladder. The support structure includes a skid having a base member with a first panel member secured thereto. The first panel member has upper and lower portions with the lower portion releasably securable to the base member. The first panel member has a first position where it is generally parallel to, and said set-off from, the base member, and a second position where it is retained generally perpendicular to the base member. The bladder is secured to at least the upper portion of said first panel member. When the first panel member is in its first position the bladder is received between the first panel member and the base member and when the first panel member is in its second position the bladder is deployed and generally hung from the upper portion of the first panel member.

Description

TITLE

Containment System

FIELD

[0001] There is described a containment system largely developed for use in

the oil industry for holding large volumes of water required for a process known

as "fracing". It will, however, be appreciated that the system could be used for

other applications and to contain other fluids, or materials.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Canadian Patent Application 2,756,305 (Hindbo) entitled "Modular

Enclosure System" describes an enclosure that can be rapidly deployed at remote

sites. In the oil industry, liners are supported by the walls of the enclosure for

containment. There will now be described an alternative containment system.

SUMMARY

[0003] There is provided a containment system which includes at least one

flexible balloon bladder. The at least one bladder has at least one opening

through which liquids or materials are pumped into or out of the at least one

bladder. A support structure surrounds and provides lateral support to the

bladder.

[0004] There is thus provided a containment system comprising a flexible

bladder having at least one opening through which a liquid or other fluid or

material can be pumped or otherwise transferred into or out of the bladder, the bladder having a contracted state where the contents of the bladder are substantially evacuated and having an expanded state where the bladder is filled or partially filled with the liquid or other fluid or material; a support structure that surrounds the bladder and provides lateral support to the bladder when the bladder is in said expanded state, the support structure comprising a plurality of panels that are separably connected to one another to form an enclosed walled support structure, the support structure including a skid comprising a base member having a first panel member secured thereto, said first panel member having an upper portion and lower portion, said lower portion releasably securable to said base member, said first panel member having a first position wherein it is generally parallel to, and said set-off a predetermined distance from, said base member, said first panel having a second position wherein it is retained generally perpendicular to said base member, said bladder secured to at least the upper portion of said first panel member such that when said first panel member is in said first position said bladder is received between said first panel member and said base member and when said first panel member is in said second position said bladder is deployed and generally hung from said upper portion of said first panel member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] These and other features will become more apparent from the following

description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings

are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting, wherein:

[0006] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a containment system.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a transparent perspective view of the containment system of

FIG. 1.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of a skid structure of the

containment system of FIG. 1, with sidewalls lowered.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a partially transparent perspective view of the skid structure

of FIG. 3.

[0010] FIG. 4A is a bottom view of the skid structure shown in FIG. 4.

[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the skid structure of FIG. 3, with

sidewalls raised.

[0012] FIG. 6a through 6h is a series of top plan views showing sequential

folding of a bladder to fit onto the skid illustrated in FIG. 3 through FIG. 5.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a

containment system.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the containment system of FIG. 7.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of panels of the containment system of

FIG. 7, prepared for transport.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a panel of the containment system

of FIG. 7, to which a bladder is adhered for the purpose of ease of transport and

ease of deployment.

[0017] FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a

containment system wherein the major components have been assembled on a skid for transport or prior to assembly.

[0018] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG.11.

[0019] FIG. 13 is a right end view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11.

[0020] FIG. 14 shows the embodiment of the containment system of FIG. 11

wherein a panel member hingedly secured to the skid is in the process of being

erected while at the same time deploying the bladder.

[0021] FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the view shown in FIG. 14.

[0022] FIG. 16 is a view further to that shown in FIG. 14 and 15 wherein the

panel member is generally perpendicular to the skid.

[0023] FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 16.

[0024] FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of an assembled tank formed using

the components of the containment system of FIG. 11.

[0025] FIG. 19 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 16 wherein

the panel has been rotated downwardly and is supported on the skid during

disassembly of the tank shown in FIG. 18.

[0026] FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 wherein the bladder has been

partially folded into the skid.

[0027] FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG, 20 wherein the bladder has been fully

folded into the skid for transport.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] A containment system generally identified by reference numeral 10, will

now be described with reference to FIG. 1 through 6h. A further containment system, generally identified by reference numeral 100, will be described with respect to FIG. 7 through FIG. 10.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, containment system 10 includes a flexible balloon

bladder 12. This is a "large" bladder that, in this embodiment, has a holding

capacity of at least 300 gallons. Bladder 12 has four openings through which

liquids or other fluids or materials are pumped or otherwise transferred into or

out of bladder 12. The four opening are not shown in this view and will be

hereinafter described. Referring to FIG. 1, a support structure, generally

indicated by reference numeral 16, surrounds and provides lateral support to

bladder 12. In this embodiment support structure 16 has a diameter of 72 feet,

a height of 12 feet and a holding capacity of 792,500 gallons, however, it will be

appreciated that other sizes and volumes are possible.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 2, support structure 16 was developed with a view to

moving containment system 10 to remote sites. For transport, a plurality of

panels 18 are transported in a disassembled state and then assembled on site to

form support structure 16. The manner of securing panels 18 together to form

an enclosure is known and will, therefore, not be further described. Referring to

FIG. 6h, bladder 12 is transportable in a folded state on a skid 20. Referring to

FIG. 5, it is preferred that skid 20 have sidewalls 22 which enclose skid 20 to

form a shipping container for transport. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6g, it is

also preferred that sidewalls 22 be movable or removable on site to facilitate access to bladder 12. In the illustrated embodiment, sidewalls 22 are hinged to skid 20 and can simply be folded down flat.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, conduit 24, 26, 28, and 30 extend externally of

support structure 16 for the purpose of making a fluid flow connection with

bladder 12. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, with skid 20 being used to transport

bladder 12, it was realized that conduit 24, 26, 28 and 30 could be incorporated

into skid 20. Although skid 20 is illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 without bladder

12 being shown, it must be understood that it is intended that bladder be

secured with adhesive (or through any one of a variety or clamping means or

mechanisms) to skid 20, so it is not removable. Referring to FIG. 4, skid 20 has

a first portion 32 to which a portion of bladder 12 is secured and a second portion

34 which does not have any portion of bladder 12 secured to it. Each of conduit

24, 26, 28, and 30 has a first end 24a, 26a, 28a and 30a and a second end 24b,

26b, 28b and 30b. Each of conduits 24, 26, 28 and 30 extend through skid 20.

Bladder 12 has four openings through which fluids can pass, identified by first

connection box 36, second connection box 38, third connection box 40 and fourth

connection box 42. First connection box 36 connects first end 24a of conduit 24

with bladder 12 and has a first extension line 44 that extends into bladder 12.

Second connection box 38 connects first end 26a of conduit 26 with bladder 12

and has a second extension line 46 that extends into bladder 12. Extension lines

44 and 46 are preferably flexible conduits positioned within bladder 12. Third

connection box 40 connects first end 28a of conduit 28 with bladder 12. Fourth connection box 42 connects first end 30 of conduit 30 with bladder 12. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, each of second ends 24b, 26b, 28b, and 30b of conduit 24,

26, 28, and 30 are attached to connection manifolds 24c, 26c, 28c, and 30c,

respectively. Referring to FIG. 4, first ends 24a, 26a, 28a, and 30a of each

conduit 24, 26, 28, and 30 are positioned in first portion 32 of skid 20. Second

ends 24b, 26b, 28b, and 30b of each conduit 24, 26, 28, and 30 are positioned in

second portion 34 of skid 20. Referring to FIG. 2, during installation, skid 20 is

positioned underlying one of panels 18 of support structure 16 with first portion

32 of skid 20 positioned within the enclosure defined by support structure 16 and

second portion 34 of skid 20 positioned outside enclosure defined by support

structure 16. This enables bladder 12 to be connected to connection boxes 36,

38, 40 and 42with connection manifolds 24c, 26c, 28c, and 30c being positioned

externally of support structure 16 to facilitate making fluid connections with

bladder 12.

[0032] The manner of installation and operation of containment system 10 will

now be described. Referring to FIG. 6h, skid 20 is transported to a remote site

with bladder 12 secured in position and folded. During transport, sidewalls 22 of

skid 20 are up as shown in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 6g, sidewalls 22 are

lowered to provide access to bladder 12 for the purpose of unfolding it, as shown

in FIG. 3. First extension line 44 is connected to first connection box 36 and

second extension line 46 is connected to second connection box38. Referring to

FIG. 6f, the unfolding of bladder 12 then commences as shown sequentially in

FIG. 6e, FIG. 6d, FIG. 6c, FIG. 6b, and lastly, FIG. 6a. Referring to FIG. 2,

panels 18 are assembled around bladder 12, with skid 20 positioned underlying

one of panels 18 of support structure 16 with first portion 32 of skid 20 to which

bladder 12 is attached positioned within the enclosure defined by support

structure 16 and second portion 34 of skid 20 positioned outside enclosure

defined by support structure 16. Connections are then made to connection

manifolds 24c, 26c, 28c and 30c. Bladder 12 is then filled or partially filled with

the material of choice (which may be a solid, liquid or gas). It will be appreciated

that depending on the particular application, the bladder could be filled with any

of a very wide variety of different materials. When utilized in the oil industry,

bladder 12 could be used to contain water, oil, drilling mud, fracking sand,

fracking fluid, etc. In other applications other materials could be contained,

including, but not limited to, industrial fluids, liquid or dry form chemicals,

drinking or industrial water, and food and agricultural products. When filled or

partially filled, the bladder is supported by support structure 16. When the need

for containment system 10 has passed its contents are removed from bladder 12

and panels 18 of support structure 16 are disassembled. Bladder 12 is then

folded back onto skid 20 as shown in the sequential folding illustrated in FIG. 6a,

FIG. 6b, FIG. 6c, FIG. 6d, FIG. 6f, FIG. 6g, and lastly, FIG. 6h.

[0033] The manner of installation and operation of containment system 10 will

now be described. Although the preferred shape for the support structure is

generally circular, it will be appreciated that the support structure need not be circular and could also be a multi-sided closed polygonal shape, (most commonly square or rectangular) or other shaped enclosed walled structure to support the sides of the bladder. Although a single bladder is illustrated within the enclosure, it will also be appreciated that there could be two or more bladders that press against each other and receive support from a common support structure.

Although it is envisage that the support structure is a plurality of panels that can

be disassembled for transport, the support structure could be a fixed structure

that is not intended to be moved. In a fixed installation, all or a portion of the

support structure could be provided by earth works. This could involve mounding

up the earth, excavating into the earth or taking advantage of naturally occurring

topographical features. Although four openings into the bladder have been

illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that the number of openings

selected will be to suit the intended application. The bladder can be made of any

suitable material that can be expanded and is compatible with the liquid or other

fluid to be contained. In an alternate embodiment, the bladder could be filled

with a solid or semi-solid material, or could be filled with a fluid having a high

solid content.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 7 through FIG. 10, containment system 100 is a multi

sided body 110 consisting of a plurality of panels 112. Referring to FIG. 9,

panels 112 are stacked for transport, with one of panels 112, identified by

reference numeral 118, serving as a support skid for bladder 116. Bladder 116 is

secured by adhesive or any one of a variety of mechanical means to skid 118 and is transported in a folded condition. Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, when panels

112 are delivered on site, panels 112 are connected to form body 110. There are

a plurality of connectors known in the art for connecting panels 112, so the panel

connectors will not be described in detail. Referring to FIG. 10, the panel

connectors illustrated are simply tongues 114 protruding from one side of panel

112 and parallel plates 115 protruding from another side of panel 112. Each of

tongues 114 are inserted between one of the pairs of parallel plates 115 and a

bolt dropped into aligned apertures to prevent tongues 114 from being

withdrawn. The panel connectors do not need to be capable of retaining liquid,

as bladder 116 will retain liquid. Referring to FIG. 10, one of panels 112 used to

form body 110 is skid 118 to which bladder 116 is secured. Bladder 116 is then

unfolded in preparation for use. Once substantially unfolded, continued

deployment can be assisted by gas (for example air or nitrogen) or by liquids.

There can be a single bladder 116 or two bladders confined by body 110 and

each other. It will be appreciated that bladder 116 will have fittings of various

kinds, such as hose connection fittings 120 to provide for hose connection and

vent fittings 122 to provide for venting. Other fittings may be required,

depending upon the installation.

[0035] FIGS. 11 through 21 show an embodiment of a containment system in

accordance with the invention herein. With reference to FIGS. 11 through 13,

there is shown the primary components of an embodiment of the containment

system in a stacked form, as they would be prior to (or following) assembly of the containment system or when in transport. Here, a plurality of panels 18 are shown stacked upon a skid 20. Skid 20 is comprised of a base 50 having hingedly secured to it a first panel member 51 through the use of a pair of hinges

52. In the embodiment depicted first panel member 51 has been rotated such

that it is horizontal or generally parallel to base 50, resting on a plurality of

removable support arms 53. As will become more apparent from a full

understanding of this embodiment, support arms 53 set-off first panel member a

predetermined distance from base member 50 in order to provide a volume that

can be accommodated by bladder 12. A plurality of additional panels 18 are

stacked over first panel member 51, with their weight also borne by support

arms 53. When assembled in this fashion, the primary components of the

containment system can be strapped or otherwise clamped or held together upon

skid 20 to allow for easy transportation from site to site, and to also allow for

easy deployment and assembly.

[0036] With reference to FIGS. 14 through 17, in the embodiment shown,

bladder 12 is secured to at least the upper portion 54 of first panel member 51.

In this manner, when panels 18 are removed from their position stacked upon

skid 20 and first panel 51 rotated to a generally vertical orientation, bladder 12 is

unfolded from its position within the stacked skid assembly and generally

deployed. In that regard FIGS. 14 and 15 show first panel member 51 partially

rotated to its vertical orientation and depict bladder 12 being pulled upwardly

from its position on top of base member 50 of skid 20. Similarly, FIGS. 16 and

17 show first panel member 51 in its generally vertical orientation (generally

perpendicular to base member 50) with bladder 12 secured to at least the upper

portion of the first panel member, hung from the top of first panel member 51,

and partially deployed.

[0037] Once rotated to a generally vertical orientation, a locking mechanism is

utilized to secure and retain first panel member 51 at an approximate right angle

relative to base member 50. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the

art that a wide variety of different locking or fastening mechanisms could be

utilized in that regard. As first panel member 51 is rotated upwardly to its

generally vertical orientation (or subsequent to the locking or fixing of the first

panel member in its generally vertical orientation), support arms 53 are removed

from base member 50 in order to present smooth and clean surface up which

bladder 12 can bear when eventually filled with a liquid or other material. In that

regard support arms 53 may be releasably secured to base member 50 of skid 20

through a variety of different mechanical means. Alternatively, support arms 53

may be foldable or otherwise rendered non-obstructive to bladder 12 when the

containment system is fully assembled and the bladder is filled or partially filled.

[0038] It should be noted that although first panel member 51 is shown as

hingedly secured to base member 50, the first panel member may be releasably

secured to the base member through other mechanical, hydraulic or electro

mechanical means that do not necessarily comprise hinges per se.

[0039] Base member 50 is preferably dimensioned such that it has a width

generally approximating that of first panel member 51 to present an adequate

void between the base member and the first panel member for receipt of bladder

12. Hinges 52 are preferably positioned upon base member 50 such that a

portion of the base member extends exterior to the first panel member (i.e.

exterior to the containment system when it is assembled) when the first panel

member is oriented in a generally vertical plane. As shown particularly in FIGS,

16 and 17, the extension of base member 50 exterior to the containment

system and first panel member 51 will assist in stabilizing the structure during its

assembly and disassembly, more so than would be the situation if hinges 52 were

positioned at the outer-most end of base member 50. It will also be appreciated

that the degree of set-off provided to first panel member 51 by hinges 52 and

support arms 53 may vary depending upon the particular size of bladder 12.

That is, it will be appreciated and understood that when first panel member 51 is

folded into a parallel relationship relative to base member 50, bladder 12 may be

folded and retained within the void created between the first panel member and

base member 50 of skid 20. In this manner the bladder is held in position for

transport and protected from damage that could occur from contacting panels 18

or other foreign objects.

[0040] Once panel member 51 has been rotated and locked in a generally

vertical orientation relative to base member 50, the remainder of panels 18 can

be secured to one another and/or first panel member 51 in order to create support structure 12. The particular structure of panels 18 and the manner in which adjacent panels are secured together can vary. FIG. 18 shows but one embodiment where adjacent panels are held together through the use of bolts or clamps 55 such that a generally cylindrical support structure is formed. It will, however, be understood that other shapes of support structures could equally be utilized (for example, square, rectangle, octagonal).

[0041] When the need for containment system 10 no longer exists, the major

components of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 through 21 can be readily

disassembled and stacked for storage or transport. Doing so merely requires

that the panel members be disassembled, and first panel member 51 unlocked

from its vertical orientation and rotated downwardly into a position where it is

parallel to base member 50 and supported by support arms 53. Either

simultaneously or thereafter, bladder 12 can be folded into the void created

between the first panel member and the base member to retain and protect the

bladder. FIG. 19 shows the general position of the bladder when first panel

member 51 has been initially rotated into a parallel configuration with base

member 50. FIG. 20 demonstrates the right portion of the bladder having been

folded into the void between the first panel member and the base member. FIG.

21 shows both the right and left portions of the bladder having been folded into

the skid such that the entire bladder is secured within the skid between the first

panel and base members.

[0042] Although in the embodiment of FIGS. 11 through 21 bladder 12 is

fixed or otherwise secured to at least the upper portion 54 of first panel member

51, it is expected that in most instances the bladder will also be secured or

otherwise fastened to the lower portion 56 of the first panel member. In most

instances it is anticipated that first panel member 51 will include at its lower end

56 manifold assembly 57 providing fluid communication with the interior of

bladder 12. That is, manifold assembly 57 may have one or more ports to which

pipes, hoses or supply lines can be secured for purposes of filling, evacuating,

venting or cleaning the interior of bladder 12. Further, in the particular

embodiment shown, the upper portion 54 of first panel member 51 includes a

pair of venting connections 58 that are in fluid communication with the interior of

bladder 12 when the containment system is assembled. Venting connections 58

provide a means for fluids, air, or other gas that may be retained within bladder

12 to escape or be vented off as the bladder is filled through manifold 57.

Venting connections 58 also provide for the potential to top-fill the bladder.

[0043] As shown more specifically in FIG. 18, in the particular embodiment

depicted, venting connections 58 are each in communication with a vent tube 59

extending along the length of first panel member 51 and terminating at or near

manifold 57. In this manner all exterior connections to the containment system

can be made at the same general location. The vent tube can thus easily be

connected to remote piping or hoses in order to collect and potentially process

vented fluid, particularly in cases where fluid vented from the bladder may be toxic or combustible. If desired, first panel member 51 may also include one or more level indicator tubes 60 having their respective ends in communication with the interior bladder 12. The level indicates tubes may be at least partially transparent or translucent such that they provide a visual indication of the level of the contents retained within the bladder. There are, of course, many other forms of level indicators that could equally be utilized in order to provide an operator with an indication of the level of the contents stored within bladder 12.

[0044] It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art having a

thorough understanding of the invention that the embodiment shown in FIGS.

11 through 21, provides a means for the efficient storage, transport and

assembly of a containment system by virtue of a skid 20 having a first panel

member 51 which has secured or otherwise fixed to at least the upper portion

thereof a bladder 12. In this way, as the first panel member is rotated from a

storage position (where it is generally parallel and adjacent to the base 50 of the

skid) to a generally vertical orientation the bladder is simultaneously deployed

and pulled upwardly to the top of what will ultimately be a portion of the support

structure for the containment system. Such a structure removes the need to

physically place the bladder within an assembled containment system, to locate

the bladder at the proper position within the containment system, and to

subsequently unfold the bladder to allow it to be properly and effectively filled to

its normal capacity. In the case of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 through

21, the rotation of the first panel member effectively deploys the bladder to a position that it can be readily filled without the risk of the bladder becoming entangled or otherwise knotted with itself, thereby preventing an inefficient filling of the bladder and possibly adding excessive strain to portions of the bladder.

The described structure also ensures that the bladder is pre-secured to venting

connections and fill manifolds within first panel member 51, thereby eliminating

the need to make connections in the field and hence reducing assembly time and

labour. The set-off of the first panel member from base 50 of skid 20 when in its

folded state, presents a convenient void within which the bladder can be stored

safely, securely and out of harm's way. In addition, and as described above,

disassembly of the containment system is simplified in that there is no need to

"decouple" the bladder from the containment system. The only requirements are

that any external venting or fill lines be disconnected from first panel member 51

as the connections to the bladder itself will remain intact.

[0045] Cleaning and servicing the bladder is also enhanced through the

described structure. In the case of a bladder that has been evacuated that

requires cleaning, cleaning fluid can be injected into the bladder through manifold

57 and/or venting connections 58. With a portion of the bladder retained on the

upper portion 54 of the first panel member, the bladder will be held in at least a

partially deployed state, enhancing the ability for cleaning fluid injected into the

bladder so that it contacts all interior surfaces. In traditional bladder

containment systems, the bladder is not retained at the upper portion of the

support structure such that when the bladder is evacuated it slumps or folds over the support structure such that when the bladder is evacuated it slumps or folds over upon itself within the interior of the support structured, thereby making it difficult for cleaning solution to contact all of the interior bladder surfaces.

[0046] In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non

limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not

specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the

indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the

element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only

one of the elements.

[0047] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the illustrated

embodiments set forth as examples, but should be given the broadest

interpretation consistent with a purposive construction of the claims in view of

the description as a whole.

[0048] "A reference herein to a patent document or other matter which is given

as prior art is not to be taken as an admission that that document or matter

was, in Australia, known or that the information it contains was part of the

common general knowledge as at the priority date of any of the claims."

Claims (7)

Claims:

1. A containment system comprising:

a flexible bladder having at least one opening through which a liquid or other

fluid or material can be pumped or otherwise transferred into or out of the

bladder, the bladder having a contracted state where the contents of the

bladder are substantially evacuated and having an expanded state where the

bladder is filled or partially filled with the liquid or other fluid or material;

a support structure that surrounds the bladder and provides lateral support to

the bladder when the bladder is in said expanded state, the support structure

comprising a plurality of panels that are separably connected to one another

to form an enclosed walled support structure, the support structure including

a skid comprising a base member having a first panel member secured thereto,

said first panel member having an upper portion and lower portion, said lower

portion releasably securable to said base member, said first panel member

having a first position wherein it is generally parallel to, and said set-off a

predetermined distance from, said base member, said first panel member

having a second position wherein it is retained generally perpendicular to said

base member, said bladder secured to at least the upper portion of said first

panel member such that when said first panel member is in said first position

said bladder is received between said first panel member and said base

member and when said first panel member is in said second position said

bladder is deployed and generally hung from said upper portion of said first

panel member.

2. The containment system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base member

includes a plurality of support arms, said support arms releasably secureable

to said base member and supporting said first panel member when in said first

position providing a void between said first panel member and said base

member for the receipt of said bladder.

3. The containment system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said base

member includes a pair of hinges, said hinges rotatably securing said first

panel member to said base member.

4. The containment system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said base member

extends laterally in opposite directions from said hinges, said base member

providing support and stability to said first panel member when in said second

position.

5. The containment system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said

lower portion of said first panel member includes a manifold assembly, said

manifold assembly operatively connected to said bladder to permit liquids or

other fluids or materials to be pumped or otherwise transferred into or out of

said bladder.

6. The containment system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said support arms

permit the plurality of panels that form the support structure to be stacked

upon, and secured to, said first panel member when in said first position for

transport of the containment system in a disassembled state.

7. The containment system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said

upper portion of said first panel member includes venting connections operably

associated with said bladder to permit a venting of the contents of said bladder.