In a storage container having a floor and a sidewall defining a space for a flowable material, and an inflatable liner attached at a first edge to the side wall along a line spaced from the floor, and attached at an opposite second edge to the floor along a line spaced from the sidewall, the inflatable liner adapted to be inflated to facilitate emptying the flowable material from the storage container, the improvement comprising a retraction system for retracting the liner as it is deflated.

A method of transporting waxy crude hydrocarbon includes: providing a container having an internal chamber with at least one port for receiving flowable waxy crude, wherein the container is provided at a refinery location; filling the internal chamber of the container with a filling system for loading the waxy crude hydrocarbon into the container; allowing the waxy crude hydrocarbon to cool and solidify into a non-flowable state; transporting the container having the non-flowable waxy crude hydrocarbon with at least one transport vehicle, wherein the transporting is performed without actively heating the waxy crude hydrocarbon with an active heating system, wherein the transporting is along a transportation route having a beginning at the refinery location and an ending; heating the waxy crude hydrocarbon at the ending of the transportation route until flowable; and removing the flowable waxy crude hydrocarbon from the container with an emptying system.

This patent pertains to secondary containment systems. One implementation includes a support assembly that includes an elongate post member and a stabilization plate. In one instance, a stabilization plate is mounted on the elongate post member to reduce movement of the elongate post member when the stabilization plate is embedded in the ground. Another implementation includes a panel splice assembly including reinforcing members that secure overlapping, corrugated panels.

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 transferred into or out of the bladder. The bladder has a contracted and an expanded or semi-expanded state. A support structure surrounds the side surfaces of the bladder and provides lateral support to the bladder when the bladder is in an expanded or semi-expanded state. The support structure comprises a plurality of panels that are seperably connected to one another to form an enclosed walled support structure. The at least one opening in the bladder is operatively connected to a point exterior to the support structure to permit the bladder to be filled or evacuated from a position exterior to the support structure.

The present disclosure relates to multi-layered elastomer-based liners. In at least one embodiment, a coated substrate includes a substrate and a first elastomer coating disposed on the substrate. The first elastomer coating is substantially free of sulfur and includes a first elastomer selected from the group consisting of a polyurea, a polyurethane, a polyurea-polyurethane copolymer, and combinations thereof. The coated substrate includes a second elastomer coating disposed on the first coating. The second elastomer coating includes a second elastomer selected from the group consisting of a polyurea, a polyurethane, a polyurea-polyurethane copolymer, and combinations thereof. The first elastomer is the same as or different than the second elastomer and at least one of the first elastomer or the second elastomer is a polyurea-polyurethane copolymer.

A sectional panel tank comprises one or more side wads that are joined together in forming the sectional panel tank. One of the side wall comprises a first unit panel having a first extension at a first edge of the first unit panel and a second unit panel having a second extension at a second edge of the second unit panel. By combing the second extension to the second extension, the second unit panel is joined to the first unit panel for providing a continuous surface of the side wall. No gasket is needed between the first extension and the second extension. A method of making the sectional panel tank is also disclosed. A method of making prefabricated unit panels with lining sheets is further disclosed for the sectional panel tank.

A sectional panel tank comprises one or more side wads that are joined together in forming the sectional panel tank. One of the side wall comprises a first unit panel having a first extension at a first edge of the first unit panel and a second unit panel having a second extension at a second edge of the second unit panel. By combing the second extension to the second extension, the second unit panel is joined to the first unit panel for providing a continuous surface of the side wall. No gasket is needed between the first extension and the second extension. A method of making the sectional panel tank is also disclosed. A method of making prefabricated unit panels with lining sheets is further disclosed for the sectional panel tank.

Corrugated fluid-tight membrane fluid-tight wall (1) including two series of parallel corrugations forming a plurality of nodes (5) at the crossings of said series of corrugations, wave reinforcements (11) being arranged under the corrugations (3) of the first series of corrugations (3), two successive wave reinforcements (11) in a corrugation (3) each including a hollow sole (15) and a reinforcement portion (16) disposed above the sole (15), the two wave reinforcements (11) being developed in the corrugation (3) on either side of a node (5), a connecting member (13) at the level of the node (5) being nested in the soles (15) of said two wave reinforcements (11) in such a manner as to assemble the two wave reinforcements (11) in an aligned position.

A method and system for detecting and identifying location of leaks in an above-ground storage tank (AST) bottom or wall is provided. The method employs a temporary liner on top of the tank bottom or at the interior of another tank surface capable of holding a vacuum. The temporary liner is installed on the top (interior) side of the surface, sealing the liner to the shell and any potential penetrations such as columns. A temporary spacer may be employed to help ensure the liner itself does not seal well to the bottom. A vacuum is pulled between the liner and the tank surface. After the vacuum is pulled, a portable acoustic device is utilized to target noise generated by air entering the vacuum evident of a gas or liquid leak.

A modular subsea fluid storage unit has a variable-volume inner tank having a rigid top panel and a peripheral wall that is flexible by virtue of concertina formations. The peripheral wall is extensible and retractable vertically while the horizontal width of the tank remains substantially unchanged. A side wall of a lower housing part surrounds and is spaced horizontally from the peripheral wall of the inner tank to define a floodable gap between the peripheral wall and the side wall that surrounds the tank. An upper housing part extends over and is vertically spaced from the top panel of the inner tank and overlaps the side wall to enclose the inner tank. The floodable gap and the upper housing part enhance thermal insulation and trap any fluids that may leak from the inner tank.