Storage Tank Insulation Joint Apparatus and Method

Abstract

A joint for fluid storage tank insulation systems. A central expansion joint forms a fluid-sealed recessed channel having a ridge-like cap. Water and moisture are directed away from the central expansion joint by the ridge-like cap. Any water that breaches the cap enters the recessed channel and flows out of the expansion joint without damaging tank insulation material. With installations having multiple expansion joints, at least one of the expansion joints can be equipped with an inverted cap to form a gutter within such expansion joint.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A joint between adjacent insulation members on an upper surface of a fluid storage tank, the joint comprising an elongate watertight channel extending substantially across the entire upper surface of the tank between the adjacent insulation members, the channel having an elongate strip of impermeable material disposed therein and extending out of the channel and laying on an upper surface of each of the adjacent insulation members. 
     
     
         2 . The joint of  claim 1 , further comprising an elongate cap disposed over substantially the entire length of the elongate channel, wherein the cap extends higher than the insulation members. 
     
     
         3 . The joint of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate watertight channel slopes toward at least one side of the fluid storage tank. 
     
     
         4 . The joint according to  claim 1 , wherein the joint is adapted to contract in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate channel. 
     
     
         5 . The joint according to- claim 1 , wherein the joint is adapted to expand in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate channel. 
     
     
         6 . A joint between adjacent insulation panels on an upper surface of a fluid storage tank, the joint comprising:
 a recessed channel formed between the insulation panels; and   a strip comprising an impermeable material and disposed within the channel along substantially the entire length of the channel.   
     
     
         7 . The joint of  claim 6 , further comprising a cap disposed over substantially the entire length of the channel and extending higher than the insulation panels. 
     
     
         8 . The joint of  claim 6 , wherein the impermeable material comprises a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         9 . The joint of  claim 6 , wherein the strip has a width greater than the width of the channel. 
     
     
         10 . The joint of  claim 9 , further comprising jacketing material disposed on the insulation panels along the recessed channel, a first side of the strip extending out of the channel and being secured to the jacketing material. 
     
     
         11 . The joint of  claim 9 , wherein the strip has at least one reinforced edge. 
     
     
         12 . The joint of  claim 6 , wherein the recessed channel slopes toward at least one side of the fluid storage tank. 
     
     
         13 . The joint of  claim 6 , wherein the joint is adapted to contract in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate channel. 
     
     
         14 . The joint of  claim 6 , wherein the joint is adapted to expand in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate channel. 
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 forming an elongate recessed channel between a first insulation panel and a second insulation panel adjacent to the first insulation panel on an upper surface of a fluid storage tank; and   installing in the recessed channel a strip comprising an impermeable material and having a first side that extends along substantially the entire length of the recessed channel, the recessed channel and the strip cooperating to form a first joint between the first insulation panel and the second insulation panel.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising installing an elongate cap over substantially the entire length of the recessed channel, wherein the cap extends higher than the first insulation panel and the second insulation panel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein forming the recessed channel comprises forming the recessed channel across the upper surface of the tank substantially from a first side of the storage tank to a second side of the storage tank opposite the first side, and through the center of the upper surface;
 the method further comprising forming an outer expansion joint across the upper surface of the tank substantially from the first side of the storage tank to the second side of the storage tank and oriented substantially parallel to the first joint by:   forming a second recessed channel between the second insulation panel and a third insulation panel;   installing in the second recessed channel a second strip comprising the impermeable material and having a first side that extends along substantially the entire length of the second recessed channel; and   installing a second cap over the second strip and over substantially the entire length of the second recessed channel, wherein the second cap is inverted and forms a gutter within the second recessed channel.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first side of the strip further extends out of the channel, the method further comprising:
 installing jacketing material on at least one of the first insulation panel and the second insulation panel, proximate to the recessed channel; and   securing the first side of the strip to the jacketing material along the recessed channel.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising adapting the first joint to expand and contract in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongate channel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein forming the recessed channel comprises disposing a section of insulation panel in a gap between opposing ends of the first insulation panel and the second insulation panel, the section of insulation panel having a thickness less than the thickness of the first insulation panel and the second insulation panel.