A composite molded cargo body panel including a core, an interior skin secured to a first side of the core having a thickness, and exterior skin secured to a second side of the core, and a plurality of recesses. The plurality of recesses are dispersed along a first direction at intervals in the interior skin, with the core thickness at each of the plurality of recesses being reduced compared to a maximum core thickness, and each of the plurality of recesses defines a support surface. A pocket is formed in each of the plurality of recesses, with the core thickness at the pocket being less than the core thickness at each of the plurality of recesses. A plurality of logistics inserts are attached to the respective support surfaces of the plurality of recesses so that, at each of the plurality of recesses, the logistics insert extends across the pocket.

A construction element includes a first wall, and a second wall. The walls are arranged at a distance from one another, forming a space wherein at least one non-concrete composite bar is arranged. Concrete is arranged in the space between the first wall, the second wall, and the composite bars.

A method of creating a stand-off between insulation and chime on a storage tank is provided. A plurality of tank chime spacers are positioned in space relation to each other such that the bottom of the tank chime spacer is positioned on the tank chime and one of the peripheral side walls of the tank chime spacer is positioned adjacent to the sidewalls of the storage tank to create a gap between the tank chime and the sidewalls of the storage tank. Each of the tank chime spacers has a body with a top, a bottom and peripheral side walls.

A system and method for storing molten sulfur includes a reinforced concrete vessel, the reinforced concrete vessel being subterranean. The vessel has a floor that is a raft footing formed of reinforced concrete and has a floor interior surface. The vessel also has a ceiling that is a slab of reinforced concrete and has a ceiling interior surface. Sidewalls of the vessel extend between the floor and the ceiling and are formed of reinforced concrete, each sidewall having a sidewall interior surface. A liner is bonded to the floor interior surface, the ceiling interior surface, and each sidewall interior surface. The liner formed of an epoxy vinyl ester resin, and a glass fiber sheet embedded in the epoxy vinyl ester resin.

Storage tanks, for example, underground septic tanks, and their methods of fabrication are provided. The tanks include a substantially liquid impermeable plastic vessel having a top, a bottom, and sides; a concrete container encasing and retaining the plastic vessel, the concrete container contacting the bottom and at least partially contacting the sides of the plastic vessel; and at least one opening for receiving effluent, for example, waste effluent, into the plastic vessel. The methods of fabricating the tanks include positioning a plastic vessel into an enclosure; introducing concrete into the enclosure about the plastic vessel; allowing the fluid concrete to cure to provide a substantially solid concrete container about the plastic vessel; and removing the plastic vessel having a concrete container from the enclosure. Vessel shape retaining devices are also disclosed. Aspects of the invention are uniquely adapted to underground storage.

A subsea vessel includes an outer layer of non-corrosive material and an inner layer of high-strength material that both corroborate in a subsea environment to withstand external pressure and prevent corrosion. The subsea vessel further includes a cavity surrounded by the inner layer and outer layer for providing storage in and protection from the subsea environment. The cavity is accessible via an opening that extends through the inner layer and the outer layer. The opening can be opened and closed with a cooperating cap that impermeably seals the cavity. The cap may include a number or connection mechanisms for being selectively secured to the opening. In addition, the cap may include a portion formed of a high-strength material and a portion formed of a non-corrosive material.

In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, a stackable bulk material storage container is provided. The bulk material storage container includes a frame having a top portion and a bottom portion, which is supported by a plurality of rigid bars. A semi-rigid containment structure is further provided, which is supported by the frame. The semi-rigid containment structure may be formed of a plurality of interconnected or attached panels of thin steel sheets, carbon graphite or fiber reinforced plastic. Alternatively, the semi-rigid containment structure may be integrally formed of a roto-molded plastic material. The frame optionally has an opening at the top, which is sized to allow for easy removal and replacement of the semi-rigid containment structure.

A liquid storage vessel having a base with a bottom and an interior floor; a continuous side extending vertically from the base and having an interior surface, the bottom and continuous side each including an internal layer and an external layer separated by a material barrier, and configured such that the interior layers form an inner containment liner, and the external layers form a continuous exterior structural shell enclosing the inner containment liner. A top is affixed to the continuous side and has an interior ceiling. Access to the tank interior is provided by one or more manways. Mounting and connecting structures enable the tanks to be stacked directly atop one another and then structurally connected. The exterior structural shell is fabricated from high performance fiber reinforced concrete, and the inner containment liner is fabricated from a geopolymer concrete blend.

Systems and methods relating to the safety of railway cars carrying flammable materials. A rail tank car having an inner tank and an outer protective wall surrounding the inner tank is provided. The outer surface of the inner tank and the inner surface of the outer protective wall are separated by a gap. A low emissivity coating is applied to one or both of the outer surface of the inner tank and the inner surface of the outer protective wall. Existing rail tank cars with a similar construction can be retrofitted by spraying the low emissivity coating inside the gap to thereby coat at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface. Preferably, the low emissivity coating has an emissivity coefficient of, at most, 0.8.

A thermally insulated panel includes a first skin, a second skin spaced apart from the first skin, and a core that is disposed between and bonded to the first skin and the second skin such that the core transfers loads between the first skin and the second skin. The core includes a porous filler material that has a vacuum drawn therein such that the core resists transfer of thermal energy through the panel. A cargo container including thermally insulated panels and a method of manufacturing the thermally insulated panels are also disclosed. In addition, a method of repairing a vacuum insulated panel is disclosed.