Storage tank comprising—an outer container (2) having a first closable opening (23), and—an inner bladder container (3) disposed within said outer container (2) and having a second closable opening (30), said outer container (2) and inner container (3) being sealed with respect to each other, said inner container (3) being adapted to be filled and or emptied with a liquid through said second closable opening (30), a space (8) between the outer container (2) and the inner container (3) being adapted to be filled with liquid through the first closable opening (23). The outer container (2) is rigid with at least one flexible portion incorporated in the rigid outer container and configured to flex so as to expand and contract to compensate volume variations caused by pressure and or temperature variations to which the storage tank (1) is subjected.

Storage tank comprising—an outer container (2) having a first closable opening (23), and—an inner bladder container (3) disposed within said outer container (2) and having a second closable opening (30), said outer container (2) and inner container (3) being sealed with respect to each other, said inner container (3) being adapted to be filled and or emptied with a liquid through said second closable opening (30), a space (8) between the outer container (2) and the inner container (3) being adapted to be filled with liquid through the first closable opening (23). The outer container (2) is rigid with at least one flexible portion incorporated in the rigid outer container and configured to flex so as to expand and contract to compensate volume variations caused by pressure and or temperature variations to which the storage tank (1) is subjected.

A method for monitoring the integrity of a freight container along a transport route, the container having a sensor monitoring the container integrity, wherein the sensing of an event violating the container integrity is followed by event data representing the integrity violation being transmitted to an analysis center, wherein the event data is rated using predetermined criteria in respect of either a sanctioned or an unsanctioned integrity violation, and wherein opening or closing of the container is rated as a sanctioned integrity violation if an electronic authorization code representing the sanction is sent to the analysis center for the event data representing this integrity violation. Different types of opening and/or closing operations are distinguished by using authorization codes from different function groups, and the analysis center uses the type of function code to determine what type of opening operation and/or closing operation has taken, or is meant to take, place.

A method for monitoring the integrity of a freight container along a transport route, the container having a sensor monitoring the container integrity, wherein the sensing of an event violating the container integrity is followed by event data representing the integrity violation being transmitted to an analysis center, wherein the event data is rated using predetermined criteria in respect of either a sanctioned or an unsanctioned integrity violation, and wherein opening or closing of the container is rated as a sanctioned integrity violation if an electronic authorization code representing the sanction is sent to the analysis center for the event data representing this integrity violation. Different types of opening and/or closing operations are distinguished by using authorization codes from different function groups, and the analysis center uses the type of function code to determine what type of opening operation and/or closing operation has taken, or is meant to take, place.

Systems, methods and apparatus for launching and recovering a vehicle via a side manway of a tank are provided. A launcher is coupled to a vertical side of the tank via a manway adapter. The launcher includes a first side having a lid and a second side configured to couple with the manway adapter. The lid is removed from the first side of the launcher. An autonomous vehicle is loaded into the launcher via the first side of the launcher. The lid is placed on the first side of the launcher. The launcher can be pressurized with the autonomous vehicle inside the launcher. The manway adapter is opened at the second side of the launcher to release the flammable fluid into the launcher. Subsequent to opening the manway adapter, the autonomous vehicle launches from the launcher into the tank to perform a tank inspection process.

Systems, methods and apparatus for launching and recovering a vehicle via a side manway of a tank are provided. A launcher is coupled to a vertical side of the tank via a manway adapter. The launcher includes a first side having a lid and a second side configured to couple with the manway adapter. The lid is removed from the first side of the launcher. An autonomous vehicle is loaded into the launcher via the first side of the launcher. The lid is placed on the first side of the launcher. The launcher can be pressurized with the autonomous vehicle inside the launcher. The manway adapter is opened at the second side of the launcher to release the flammable fluid into the launcher. Subsequent to opening the manway adapter, the autonomous vehicle launches from the launcher into the tank to perform a tank inspection process.

In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.

In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.

The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a liquid storage tank. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.

A system or method comprising at least one lift system that is adapted to raise a container (e.g., roll-off container) off of the floor or ground to allow for the amount of material in the container to be determined. An example of a lift system may be comprised of at least one air lift bag (i.e., air bag, air bladder, or air spring), which may include or be in communication with a control system and/or other suitable processing system to facilitate the determination of the amount of material in the container. For example, a control system may be adapted to monitor the air pressure required to inflate each air lift bag to a certain threshold and/or another suitable parameter or measurement associated with the inflation (e.g., pressure differential) or position of each air lift bag and then use that information to calculate the weight of material in the container.