GB2177149A

GB2177149A - Storage container for liquids

Info

Publication number: GB2177149A
Application number: GB08613983A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Phillip Sydney Doughty
Original assignee: Allied Tanks & Fabrications Li
Current assignee: Allied Tanks & Fabrications Li
Priority date: 1985-06-27
Filing date: 1986-06-09
Publication date: 1987-01-14
Also published as: GB8613983D0; GB8516255D0; GB2177149B

Abstract

A fabricated storage container 1, for example for fuel oils and chemicals, is accommodated in a fabricated catch pit 2 which collects any liquid leaking from the container and has a base (4 Fig. 2) on which the container stands, a wall 5 surrounding the container for its height, and a cover (12 Fig. 2) which closes the top of the catch pit. The same cover (12) conveniently also closes the top of the catch pit. Preferably the wall 5 is spaced from the container all around the container so that liquid collected in the catch pit can spread and avoid localised building up of pressure in the catch pit. The amount of reinforcement 7 of the container and catch pit may be reduced by arranging that reinforcing members thereof are within the catch pit and extend across the space between adjacent surfaces of the container and catch pit. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to storage containers for liquids This invention relates to storage containers for liquids, particularly, though not exclusively, liquids such as fuel oils and chemicals.

It is usual for storage containers for fuel oils and chemicals to be accommodated in catch pits, also known as bunds, so that in the event of leakage from the containers the oils or chemicals will be trapped in the catch pits and prevented from escaping further. The conventional catch pit has had a concrete base on which the storage container stands and a wall has been built around the container. An alternative has been to provide a fabricated metal catch pit having a base above which the storage container is supported on stands and a wall which surrounds the lower part of the container, the catch pit being open at the top.

Because the catch pit is open-topped its interior is open to the weather if the storage container is outdoors. Maintenance painting is required to prevent the metalwork of the container and catch pit from corroding. With the container accommodated in the catch pit it can be difficult to gain access to parts of the inside of the catch pit and of the exterior of the container within the catch pit for maintenance painting to be carried out on them.

According to the present invention there is provided in combination a fabricated storage container for liquids and a fabricated catch pit in which the storage container is accommodated, the catch pit having a base on which the storage container stands, a wall surrounding the storage container which extends for the height of the storage container, and a cover which closes the top of the catch pit.

As the catch pit is closed maintenance painting of the inside of the catch pit and of the exterior of the storage container within the catch pit is unecessary. Rain-water cannot enter the catch pit if the storage container is located outdoors.

The cover may provide a closure for the storage container as well as for the catch pit.

The storage container may stand directly on the base of the catch pit or be supported above it on suitable stands. It will generally be desirable for the wall of the catch pit to be spaced away from the storage container all around the container. If then leakage of liquid should occur from the storage container the liquid can spread around the container and building-up of localised pressures in the catch pit will be avoided.

An inspection window or sight gauge may be provided at the wall of the catch pit by means of which leakage into the catch pit can be detected.

Where the storage container and catch pit include, or either one of them includes, reinforcing members, such members, or at least some of them, preferably are within the catch pit and extend across the space between adjacent surfaces of the container and the catch pit. Thus reinforcing members of the storage container preferably are provided externally of the container, and reinforcing members of the catch pit preferably are provided internally of the catch pit.

This arrangement can reduce the amount of reinforcement required.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a storage container and catch pit in combination in accordance with the present invention, with a cover removed, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic vertical section on line 2-2 of Figure 1, and Figures 3 and 4 are respectively a fragmentary diagrammatic vertical section through and a fragmentary diagrammatic plan view of the storage container and catch pit showing a modification.

In the accompanying drawings the storage container and catch pit are indicated generally by references 1 and 2 respectively.

The storage container 1 and catch pit 2 are liquidtight rectangular tanks fabricated in sheet metal. The storage container 1 stands on two or more parallel, horizontal bearers 3. The catch pit 2 has a base 4 directly on which the storage container seats, and a wall 5 which surrounds the storage container and extends for the height of the storage container. There is a space 6 all around the storage container between it and the wall 5 of the catch pit.

Vertically extending L-section reinforcing members 7 are secured by one of their flanges at spaced positions on the exterior of sides and ends 8 of the storage container and their other flanges 9 extend across the space 6 to the wall 5 of the catch pit 2. Vertically extending L-section reinforcing members 10 are also secured by one of their flanges on the interior of the wall 5 of the catch pit, at spaced positions intermediate those of the reinforcing members 7 on the storage container, and their other flanges 11 extend across the space 6 to the side and end 8 of the storage container. A common sheet metal cover 12 is secured over and sealed to the tops of the storage container and catch pit.

The flanges 9 of the reinforcing members of the storage container which extend across the space 6 make contact with but are not secured to the wall 5 of the catch pit. Similarly the flanges 11 of the reinforcing members 10 of the catch pit which extend across the space 6 make contact with but are not secured to the sides and ends 8 of the storage container. There is sliding engagement of the flanges 9, 11 respectively with the wall 5 and the sides and ends 8 as the storage container is inserted in the catch pit in the course of assembly. It will be realised that by virtue of the arrangement of the reinforcing members 7, 10, those which are secured to the storage container will also assist in the strengthening of the catch pit, and likewise the reinforcing members 10 secured to the catch pit will assist in the strengthening of the storage container.

At least the flanges 9, 11 of the reinforcing members 7, 10 stop short of the bottom and top of the storage container and catch pit.

Thus in the event that liquid leaks from the storage container during use the liquid is able to spread around the storage container in the catch pit. A sight gauge 13 is mounted on the wall 5 of the catch pit to enable leakage of liquid into the catch pit from the storage container to be detected.

Fpr convenience of assembly the cover 12 is initially welded to the top of the storage container, and is subsequently welded to the top of the catch pit when the storage container is in position.

One or more access openings, not shown, with closures are provided in the cover 12 into the storage container.

With the storage container in position in the catch pit and the cover 12 secured an enclosed cavity is defined around the storage container in the catch pit. This cavity may assist in providing some thermal insulation for the storage container. Typically the cavity will have a width of about 5-7 cms.

The plan area of the catch pit may be appreciably less for a given capacity of the storage container than would normally be the case for known catch pits used with storage containers of that capacity. Accordingly less ground or floor space may be occupied than with the known arrangements. Furthermore, although the catch pit is of similar height to the storage container and the cover closes over the catch pit, with a cavity of the typical width mentioned above there may be some saving in material over the known catch pit constructions.

A modification is shown in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings. An overflow pipe 13 and a cowled vent pipe 14 are mounted on the cover 12, the overflow pipe 13 extending between and opening to the top of the storage container 1 and the top of the enclosed space 6 in the catch pit 2, and the vent pipe 14 venting the space. In the event that the storage container should be over-filled the overflow pipe allows the excess liquid to be discharged into the catch pit where it is confined. The arrangement avoids an open vent from the storage container.

Claims

1. In combination a fabricated storage container for liquids and a fabricated catch pit in which the storage container is accommodated, the catch pit having a base on which the storage container stands, a wall surrounding the storage container which extends for the height of the storage container, and a cover which closes off the top of the catch pit.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the cover closes both the storage container and the catch pit.

3. The combination according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the storage container stands directly on the base of the catch pit.

4. The combination according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the storage container is supported above the base of the catch pit on stands.

5. The combination according to any preceding claim wherein the wall of the catch pit is spaced away from the storage container all around the storage container.

6. The combination according to any preceding claim wherein at least one of the storage container and catch pit includes reinforcing members within the catch pit which extend between adjacent surfaces of the storage container and the catch pit.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein the storage container has external reinforcing members which extend into contact with adjacent internal surfaces of the catch pit, and the catch pit has internal reinforcing members which extend into contact with adjacent external surfaces of the catch pit.

8. The combination according to any preceding claim wherein means is provided at the wall of the catch pit whereby a visual indication of leakage into the catch pit is available.

9. The combination according to any preceding claim wherein an overflow pipe connects the tops of the interiors of the storage container and catch pit.

10. In combination a fabricated storage container for liquids and a fabricated catch pit substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

11. In combination a fabricated storage container for liquids and a fabricated catch pit substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 as modified by Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.