Modular above-ground tank
A modular tank comprises a plurality of panels positioned on the ground or another surface to form sides of a containment wall. Each panel comprises: i) a side wall section having a trapezoidal shape; and ii) a frame assembly connected to the side wall section and configured to support the side wall section such that a first base of the trapezoid shape is disposed proximate a base of the containment wall and a second base of the trapezoid shape is supported in an elevated position to form part of an upper perimeter of the containment wall. The modular tank also includes a liner configured to be disposed on at least one of the containment wall and the ground surface to thereby form a barrier for containing fluid in the modular tank. Depending on whether the first base of a panel is wider or narrower than the second base, panels may be aligned to form straight walls or curved walls, thereby enabling the modular tank to assume different shapes.
1. A modular tank comprising a plurality of panels positioned on a ground surface to form sides of a containment wall, wherein each panel comprises:
a side wall section having a trapezoidal shape; and
a frame assembly reconfigurably attached to the side wall section and configured to support the side wall section such that:
in a first configuration, the side wall section is attached to the frame assembly such that a first base of the trapezoidal shape is disposed proximate a base of the containment wall and a second base of the trapezoid shape is supported in an elevated position to form part of an upper perimeter of the containment wall; and
in a second configuration, the side wall section is attached to the frame assembly such that the second base of the trapezoidal shape is disposed proximate the base of the containment wall and the first base of the trapezoid shape is supported in an elevated position to form part of the upper perimeter of the containment wall,
wherein the frame assembly comprises:
a beam frame to which the sidewall section is reconfigurably attached, wherein the beam frame comprises a horizontal crosspiece that removably attaches to a median region of the sidewall section approximately midway between the first base and the second base;
a base frame for supporting the frame assembly on the ground; and
a brace frame coupled to the base frame and the beam frame for supporting the side wall section in an inclined position with respect to the ground, wherein the brace frame comprises:
a first leg coupled at one end to the horizontal crosspiece of the beam frame and at a second end to the base frame; and
a second leg coupled at one end to the horizontal crosspiece of the beam frame and at a second end to the base frame.
2. The modular tank as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the side wall section comprises a grid having holes therein.
3. The modular tank as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the side wall section comprises a solid surface.
4. The modular tank as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the side wall section is adapted to receive a liner operable to form a barrier for containing fluid in the modular tank.
5. A panel for use in a forming a containment wall of a modular tank positioned on a ground surface, wherein the panel comprises:
a side wall section having a trapezoidal shape; and
a frame assembly reconfigurably attached to the side wall section and configured to support the side wall section such that:
in a first configuration, the side wall section is attached to the frame assembly such that a first base of the trapezoidal shape is disposed proximate a base of the containment wall and a second base of the trapezoid shape is supported in an elevated position to form part of an upper perimeter of the containment wall; and
in a second configuration, the side wall section is attached to the frame assembly such that the second base of the trapezoidal shape is disposed proximate the base of the containment wall and the first base of the trapezoid shape is supported in an elevated position to form part of the upper perimeter of the containment wall,
wherein the frame assembly comprises:
a beam frame to which the sidewall section is reconfigurably attached, wherein the beam frame comprises a horizontal crosspiece that removably attaches to a median region of the sidewall section approximately midway between the first base and the second base;
a base frame for supporting the frame assembly on the ground; and
a brace frame coupled to the base frame and the beam frame for supporting the side wall section in an inclined position with respect to the ground, wherein the brace frame comprises:
a first leg coupled at one end to the horizontal crosspiece of the beam frame and at a second end to the base frame; and
a second leg coupled at one end to the horizontal crosspiece of the beam frame and at a second end to the base frame.
6. The panel as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the side wall section comprises a grid having holes therein.
7. The panel as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the side wall section comprises a solid surface.
8. The panel as set forth in claim 5 , wherein the side wall section is adapted to receive a liner operable to form a barrier for containing fluid in the modular tank.