A castable, moldable, or extrudable magnesium-based alloy that includes one or more insoluble additives. The insoluble additives can be used to enhance the mechanical properties of the structure, such as ductility and/or tensile strength. The final structure can be enhanced by heat treatment, as well as deformation processing such as extrusion, forging, or rolling, to further improve the strength of the final structure as compared to the non-enhanced structure. The magnesium-based composite has improved thermal and mechanical properties by the modification of grain boundary properties through the addition of insoluble nanoparticles to the magnesium alloys. The magnesium-based composite can have a thermal conductivity that is greater than 180 W/m-K, and/or ductility exceeding 15-20% elongation to failure.

Underground thermal energy storage in a cylindrical or n-gonal prism shape with a vertical axis, comprising an inner volume for holding a liquid, an outer wall, an inner wall around the inner volume, and a filling layer between the inner wall and the outer wall. The inner wall comprises a series of modular wall parts provided with a heat exchanger for exchanging thermal energy with the liquid. The modular wall parts, arranged in rings, contact the inner volume and have an elastic sealing limiting liquid flow between the inner volume and the filling layer and taking up thermal expansion of the modular wall parts. The filling layer comprises an insulating layer designed to keep the outer wall below 30 C. when the inner volume is at least 90 C., and a structural layer for maintaining the insulating layer and the inner wall's modular wall parts in position.

Underground thermal energy storage in a cylindrical or n-gonal prism shape with a vertical axis, comprising an inner volume for holding a liquid, an outer wall, an inner wall around the inner volume, and a filling layer between the inner wall and the outer wall. The inner wall comprises a series of modular wall parts provided with a heat exchanger for exchanging thermal energy with the liquid. The modular wall parts, arranged in rings, contact the inner volume and have an elastic sealing limiting liquid flow between the inner volume and the filling layer and taking up thermal expansion of the modular wall parts. The filling layer comprises an insulating layer designed to keep the outer wall below 30 C. when the inner volume is at least 90 C., and a structural layer for maintaining the insulating layer and the inner wall's modular wall parts in position.

A method for the construction of an improved tank base. A tank base is constructed for protection against accidental spills and/or leaks associated with a tank battery. The improved tank base comprises at least one part of a suitable substrate, which allows for the adhesion of an elastomer such as polyurea. Polyurea is preferably applied using a spray device which yields an average coverage of about 50-80 mils, and most preferably 60 mils. If more than one substrate is used, one or more substrates can be bound together with a fastening system. Once pressure is applied in the form of weight, the fastening system can be removed, resulting in an improved tank base having at least one seam and impervious to the fluid of the tank battery.

A method for the construction of an improved tank base. A tank base is constructed for protection against accidental spills and/or leaks associated with a tank battery. The improved tank base comprises at least one part of a suitable substrate, which allows for the adhesion of an elastomer such as polyurea. Polyurea is preferably applied using a spray device which yields an average coverage of about 50-80 mils, and most preferably 60 mils. If more than one substrate is used, one or more substrates can be bound together with a fastening system. Once pressure is applied in the form of weight, the fastening system can be removed, resulting in an improved tank base having at least one seam and impervious to the fluid of the tank battery.

A transportable building comprising a modular element constructed from a plurality of steel or aluminum intermodal shipping containers is disclosed. The method of manufacture greatly reduces the cost of constructing the transportable building. The transportable building can be set up at a site and later easily dismantled and moved, providing flexibility to temporarily set up a business without the need to build and maintain a permanent structure.

A transportable building comprising a modular element constructed from a plurality of steel or aluminum intermodal shipping containers is disclosed. The method of manufacture greatly reduces the cost of constructing the transportable building. The transportable building can be set up at a site and later easily dismantled and moved, providing flexibility to temporarily set up a business without the need to build and maintain a permanent structure.

A foundation for cylindrical refrigerated tanks for liquified gas storage, at locations where the minimum ambient temperature is always greater than 0 C., characterized by a reinforced concrete ribbed slab structure at grade level, where the clear spaces in between the parallel webs of the ribbed slab are configured as air circulation channels to provide ambient air circulation suitable to prevent the ground underneath the foundation itself from reaching freezing temperatures, i.e. 0 C., while providing the necessary bearing and structural capacity.

A foundation for cylindrical refrigerated tanks for liquified gas storage, at locations where the minimum ambient temperature is always greater than 0 C., characterized by a reinforced concrete ribbed slab structure at grade level, where the clear spaces in between the parallel webs of the ribbed slab are configured as air circulation channels to provide ambient air circulation suitable to prevent the ground underneath the foundation itself from reaching freezing temperatures, i.e. 0 C., while providing the necessary bearing and structural capacity.

A method for the construction of an improved tank base. A tank base is constructed for protection against accidental spills and/or leaks associated with a tank battery. The improved tank base comprises at least one part of a suitable substrate, which allows for the adhesion of an elastomer such as polyurea. Polyurea is preferably applied using a spray device which yields an average coverage of about 50-80 mils, and most preferably 60 mils. If more than one substrate is used, one or more substrates can be bound together with a fastening system. Once pressure is applied in the form of weight, the fastening system can be removed, resulting in an improved tank base having at least one seam and impervious to the fluid of the tank battery.