Tank

Abstract

The invention provides a tank for storing fluids, comprising a vessel and a reinforcing frame extending over the sides of the vessel wherein the vessel has substantially planar sides. The vessel can be substantially quadrilateral. At least a part of the bottom of the vessel can be canted with respect to the sides of the vessel. The invention can also provide a tank for storing fluids, comprising a vessel and a reinforcing frame extending over the sides of the vessel, the frame having a top and a base wherein the vessel is retained in the frame by removable keys that connect the top of the frame to the base.

1 . A tank for storing fluids, comprising a vessel and a reinforcing frame extending over the sides of the vessel wherein the vessel has substantially planar sides.  
   
   
       2 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is substantially quadrilateral.  
   
   
       3 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is substantially square in cross-section.  
   
   
       4 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 1 , wherein a top portion of the tank is accessible from ground level.  
   
   
       5 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a part of a bottom of the vessel is canted with respect to the sides of the vessel.  
   
   
       6 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 5 , wherein the bottom of the vessel has two portions and each portion is canted at an angle greater than 90° with respect to the sides of the vessel, so that the portions meet at an apex on the bottom of the vessel that is at the lowest point of the vessel in use.  
   
   
       7 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 6 , wherein a first portion of the bottom of the vessel is canted at a shallow angle with respect to the side walls.  
   
   
       8 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 7 , wherein the first portion is canted at an angle between 90° and 95°.  
   
   
       9 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 7 , wherein a second portion is canted at a greater angle with respect to the side walls than the first portion.  
   
   
       10 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 9 , wherein the second portion is canted at an angle between 120° and 150°.  
   
   
       11 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 6 , wherein the vessel has an outlet for fluids at the apex of the bottom of the vessel where the two portions are connected together at the lowest point.  
   
   
       12 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 11 , wherein the second portion is canted at around 135° with respect to the front of the vessel, thereby creating a recess between the frame and the front of the vessel in the region of the outlet.  
   
   
       13 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom of the vessel can be formed from three or more portions, and such portions are canted towards an apex.  
   
   
       14 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 13 , wherein the bottom of the vessel is formed from four portions, wherein two portions are canted by the same degree from and with respect to opposing side walls and the other two portions are canted at different angles.  
   
   
       15 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is supported by a base portion of the frame and removable from the surrounding frame.  
   
   
       16 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame is made up of hollow beams or box sections that are welded together.  
   
   
       17 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame has a lower basket formed by four sides and a base.  
   
   
       18 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 17 , wherein the frame has a top portion removably securable to the basket after the vessel is placed in the basket.  
   
   
       19 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 17 , wherein the basket is substantially square, with a substantially planar base and sidewalls.  
   
   
       20 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 1 , wherein a side portion of the frame is selectively detachable.  
   
   
       21 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of an inner surface of the base portion is complementary with the degree of canting applied to the bottom of the tank, so as to support the bottom of the tank along its length.  
   
   
       22 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 16 , wherein the vessel is mounted on a sub-frame provided on the base portion that is canted to the same degree as the first portion of the vessel, so as to support the vessel within the frame from underneath.  
   
   
       23 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 21 , wherein the inside surface of the frame the sub-frame is canted to match the outer surface of the vessel.  
   
   
       24 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the frame is a substantially regular shape in cross and transverse sections, so that multiple frames can be stacked on top of one another.  
   
   
       25 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface of the frame is a regular quadrilateral shape with 90° corners.  
   
   
       26 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame has stacking posts and recesses to facilitate stacking of the frames.  
   
   
       27 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 26 , wherein each stacking post extends diagonally inwardly and upwardly from a top portion of the frame.  
   
   
       28 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 26 , wherein each stacking post is in the form of a padeye.  
   
   
       29 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is a tight fit within the frame, so that any loads applied to the vessel are transferred to the frame.  
   
   
       30 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 1 , wherein the corners of the vessel are chamfered away from the corners of the frame so that loads are not transferred between the corners of the frame and the corners of the vessel.  
   
   
       31 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 15 , wherein the vessel is held within the frame by one or more keys that extend between the top portion and the base portion of the frame when the vessel is in place within the frame.  
   
   
       32 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 31 , wherein each key takes the form of a bar extending between the top and base portions of the frame, and is held in place by a welded plate preventing removal of the key, thereby securing the two portions of the frame together, and holding the vessel in place within the frame.  
   
   
       33 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 1 , wherein the tank is insulated.  
   
   
       34 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 32 , wherein a cover is provided for the vessel to surround the vessel within the frame.  
   
   
       35 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 34 , wherein the cover is formed from rubber or similar resilient and insulating material.  
   
   
       36 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 33 , wherein the insulation is applied to the tank between beams of the frame, and held between inner and outer plates on the frame.  
   
   
       37 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 36 , wherein the insulation is foam or rock wool insulation.  
   
   
       38 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 37 , wherein the insulation is riveted between inner and outer plates welded in the apertures between the beams of the frame.  
   
   
       39 . A tank for storing fluids according to  claim 37 , wherein the inner plates are recessed from the inner surface of the frame, so that the vessel bears against the frame.  
   
   
       40 . A tank for storing fluids, comprising a vessel and a reinforcing frame extending over the sides of the vessel, the frame having a top and a base wherein the vessel is retained in the frame by removable keys that connect the top of the frame to the base.