Sealed storage tanks and methods of making the same
Various embodiments disclosed relate to a sealed storage tank. The sealed storage tank includes a first polymeric layer. The sealed storage tank further includes a second polymeric layer continuously welded to the first polymeric layer to form the sealed storage tank. The sealed storage tank further includes an optional vent formed in the first polymeric layer or the second polymeric layer. The sealed storage tank can be configured to hold at least 13,000 liters of liquid.
1. A sealed storage tank comprising:
a first polymeric layer;
a second polymeric layer continuously welded to the first polymeric layer to form the sealed storage tank;
a vent formed in the first polymeric layer or the second polymeric layer; and
a plurality of tabs welded to the second polymeric layer, the tabs comprising an elastic material, wherein
the sealed storage tank is configured to hold at least 13,000 liters.
2. The sealed storage tank of claim 1 , wherein a major dimension of the first polymeric layer is larger than a major dimension of the second polymeric layer.
3. The sealed storage tank of claim 2 , wherein the first and second major dimensions are a first diameter and a second diameter.
4. The sealed storage tank of claim 1 , wherein the first polymeric layer, second polymeric layer, or both independently comprise a polyolefin, a polyketone, a polyester, a polyamide, ethylene vinyl alcohol, a polyvinylidene fluoride, a polyvinylidene chloride, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polytetrafluoroethylene, copolymers thereof, or mixtures thereof.
5. The sealed storage tank of claim 4 , wherein the polyolefin comprises a polyethylene, a polypropylene, copolymers thereof, or mixtures thereof.
6. The sealed storage tank of claim 1 , wherein the sealed storage tank has a volume in a range of from about 13,000 liters to about 12,270,000 liters.
7. The sealed storage tank of claim 1 , wherein a permeability of the sealed storage tank to a volatile organic compound is in a range of from about 1×10 −14 m 2 /s to about 30×10 −14 m 2 /s.
8. The sealed storage tank of claim 7 , wherein the volatile organic compound comprises an aromatic hydrocarbon, a chlorinated hydrocarbon, or a mixture thereof.
9. The sealed storage tank of claim 8 , wherein the aromatic hydrocarbon comprises benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, or a mixture thereof.
10. The sealed storage tank of claim 8 , wherein the chlorinated hydrocarbon comprises 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA), dichloromethane (DCM), trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), or a mixture thereof.
11. The sealed storage tank of claim 7 , wherein the volatile organic compound is a constituent of oil.
12. The sealed storage tank of claim 1 , wherein the first polymeric layer, second polymeric layer, or both comprise a multi-layer construction comprising:
a first polyolefin layer;
a barrier layer;
a first tie layer joining the first polyolefin layer and the barrier layer;
a second polyolefin layer; and
a second tie layer joining the barrier layer and the second polyolefin layer.
13. An assembly comprising:
the sealed storage tank of claim 1 ; and
a container, wherein the sealed storage tank is attached to the container.
14. The assembly of claim 13 , wherein the container is a metal container, a plastic container, an earth berm, or a combination thereof.
15. A method of making the sealed storage tank of claim 13 , the method comprising:
sizing the first polymeric layer to be larger than the second polymeric layer;
contacting the first polymeric layer and the second polymeric layer; and
forming a continuous weld between the first polymeric layer and the second polymeric layer to form the sealed storage tank.
16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising attaching a fitting to first polymeric layer, second polymeric layer, or both.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein attaching the fitting comprises:
forming a hole in the first polymeric layer, second polymeric layer, or both;
disposing the fitting in the hole; and
welding the fitting to the first polymeric layer, second polymeric layer, or both.
18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising attaching the plurality of tabs to the first polymeric layer, second polymeric layer, or both.
19. The method of claim 15 , further comprising substantially aligning a center of the first polymeric layer with a center of the second polymeric layer.
20. A method of forming the assembly of claim 13 , the method comprising:
forming the sealed storage tank; and
attaching the sealed storage tank to the container.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein attaching the sealed storage tank to the container comprises:
folding at least one of the plurality of tabs over a top end of the container; and
clamping the at least one tab to the top end of the container.
22. The method of claim 20 , wherein attaching the sealed storage tank to the container comprises:
folding at least one of the plurality of tabs over a top end of the container; and
welding the at least one tab to the top end of the container.
23. The method of claim 20 , further comprising disposing a liner between an inner surface of the container and the sealed storage tank.