Method of installing a tank liner

Abstract

A method of installing a tank liner in a tank, the method comprising the steps of: A) adhering a backing sheet to a liquid permeable sheet with an adhesive to form a first panel outside of the tank; B) placing the first panel within the tank against a wall of the tank, with the liquid permeable sheet between the tank wall and the backing sheet; and C) laying up fiber reinforced plastic onto the backing sheet inside of the tank to create a tank liner inside the tank. A tank liner formed of plural panels sealed together to form an encircling wall and an end wall, each panel comprising: a liquid permeable sheet; a fabric sheet adhered to the liquid permeable mesh sheet on one side of the fabric; and fiber reinforced plastic applied to the other side of the fabric.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method of installing a tank liner in a tank, the method comprising the steps of: 
 A) adhering a backing sheet to a liquid permeable sheet with an adhesive to form a first panel outside of the tank;    B) placing the first panel within the tank against a wall of the tank, with the liquid permeable sheet between the tank wall and the backing sheet; and    C) laying up fiber reinforced plastic onto the backing sheet inside of the tank to create a tank liner inside the tank.    
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1    in which the backing sheet is initially semi-permeable and is made impermeable by application of adhesive.  
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 2    in which the backing sheet is a fabric.  
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 1    in which the backing sheet is a fabric.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 1    in which the liquid permeable sheet is a mesh.  
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 1    in which the tank comprises an encircling wall and an end wall and the method further comprising: 
 repeating steps A and B until at least a lower portion of the encircling wall and end wall are covered with the multiple panels;  
 sealing the panels together to form the tank liner; and  
 applying step C to the multiple panels.  
 
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 1    in which at least one of the edges of the liquid permeable sheet is exposed when the first panel is placed against a wall of the tank, and further comprising, before laying up the fiber reinforced plastic, adhering the first panel to the wall of the tank by applying adhesive to the exposed edge of the liquid permeable sheet.  
     
     
         8 . A tank liner formed of plural panels sealed together to form an encircling wall and an end wall, each panel comprising: 
 a liquid permeable sheet;    a fabric sheet adhered to the liquid permeable mesh sheet on one side of the fabric sheet; and    fiber reinforced plastic applied to the other side of the fabric.    
     
     
         9 . The tank liner of    claim 6    in which the liquid permeable sheet is a mesh.