Storage tank roof protection system

Abstract

A system and method for suspending and sealing a liner below the roof of a tank for protecting the liner from fluids contained within the tank. The liner is a geosynthetic membrane, which is impervious to fluids, and provide a continuous barrier between the fluids and the inner surface of the roof. The liner is suspended between compression seals at the periphery of the tank. Further, cables are attached at the walls of the tank above or below the liner to support the suspended liner. The liner is sealed about any discontinuities, such as ventilation openings or access to the inside of the tank in the roof. Optionally, ventilation is also provided to the space above the liner by providing vents in the roof which do not extend through the liner.

1 . A system for protecting an interior surface of a roof of a structural envelope from fluids contained within a lower region of the structural envelope comprising: 
 a continuous and impermeable geosynthetic membrane suspended within the structural envelope to separate the roof from the lower region of the structural envelope; and    a plurality of attachments positioned adjacent the roof and at the inner surface of the structural envelope for sealingly attaching the membrane thereto.    
   
   
       2 . The system as described in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 supporting elements attached to the inner surface of the structural envelope for supporting the membrane suspended therein.    
   
   
       3 . The system as described in  claim 2  wherein the supporting elements are cables.  
   
   
       4 . The system as described in  claim 2  wherein the supporting elements are positioned below the membrane.  
   
   
       5 . The system as described in  claim 2  wherein the supporting elements are positioned above the membrane and the membrane is attached thereto.  
   
   
       6 . The system as described in  claim 1  further comprising vents formed in the roof for providing ventilation to an upper portion of the structural vessel formed above the membrane.  
   
   
       7 . The system as described in  claim 1  wherein the membrane further comprises inner and outer extremities and wherein the plurality of attachments are positioned at the inner surface of an extremity of the structural envelope adjacent the roof and at a center column for sealably attaching the inner and outer extremities of the membrane thereto and for suspending the membrane therebetween.  
   
   
       8 . The system as described in  claim 7  further comprising: 
 supporting elements attached to the inner surface of the extremity of the structural envelope and at the center column for supporting the membrane suspended therebetween.    
   
   
       9 . The system as described in  claim 8  wherein the supporting elements are cables.  
   
   
       10 . The system as described in  claim 8  wherein the supporting elements are positioned below the membrane.  
   
   
       11 . The system as described in  claim 8  wherein the supporting elements are positioned above the membrane and the membrane is attached thereto  
   
   
       12 . The system as described in  claim 7  further comprising vents formed in the roof for providing ventilation to an upper portion of the structural vessel formed above the membrane.  
   
   
       13 . A method of protecting an interior surface of a roof of a structural envelope from fluids contained within a lower region of the structural envelope comprising the steps of: 
 providing a continuous and impermeable geosynthetic membrane;    providing a plurality of attachments positioned adjacent the roof and at the inner surface of the structural envelope for sealingly attaching the membrane thereto; and    suspending the membrane from the attachments within the structural envelope to separate the roof from the lower region of the structural envelope.    
   
   
       14 . The method as described in  claim 13  and prior to suspending the membrane from the attachments, further comprising the steps of: 
 providing supporting elements for supporting the membrane;    attaching the supporting elements to the inner surface of the structural envelope at least one extremity of the envelope;    raising the supporting elements and the membrane for attachment to at least the opposite extremity of the envelope for suspending and supporting the membrane therein.    
   
   
       15 . The method as described in  claim 13  wherein the membrane further comprises inner and outer extremities and wherein the plurality of attachments are positioned at the inner surface of an extremity of the structural envelope adjacent the roof and at a center column for attaching the inner and outer extremities of the membrane thereto and for suspending the membrane therebetween.