Tank liner

Abstract

A tank liner for use with a tank having an interior region in the storage and/or transportation of fluids or liquids. The tank liner includes a body having an outer wall and an inner wall. The liner body is positioned within the interior region. A vacuum is applied between the tank and the outer wall of the tank liner.

1 . A tank for storage of fluids, comprising: 
 a body having an outer wall and an inner wall, the inner wall defining an interior region;    an opening, defined by the body, to receive a vacuum source to pressurize the interior region;    a liner body having an outer surface, the liner body positioned within the interior region;    an air permeable support structure positioned between the liner body and body interior region; and    a plurality of evacuation members positioned on the inner wall.    
   
   
       2 . The tank of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of evacuation members includes a plurality of longitudinal members.  
   
   
       3 . The tank of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of evacuation members includes a plurality of vertical members extending from the air permeable support structure to an upper portion of the interior region.  
   
   
       4 . The tank of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of longitudinal members intersect with the plurality of vertical members at a plurality of locations, the plurality of longitudinal members and the plurality of vertical members are both segmented and form an opening at each of the plurality of locations.  
   
   
       5 . The tank of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of evacuation members is tubing.  
   
   
       6 . The tank of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of evacuation members are coupled to the inner wall.  
   
   
       7 . The tank of  claim 1 , further comprising a fiberglass liner attached to the inner wall.  
   
   
       8 . The tank of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of evacuation members are etched into the fiberglass liner.  
   
   
       9 . The tank of  claim 1 , wherein the liner body is formed from at least one of PVC and Kynar.  
   
   
       10 . The tank of  claim 1 , further comprising a flange, disposed adjacent the opening, to receive the vacuum source.  
   
   
       11 . A method of installing a liner in a tank having a body with an outer wall and an inner wall defining an interior region, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an evacuation member along the inner wall;    positioning the liner within the interior region; and    evacuating the air from between the inner wall and the liner.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of filling at least a portion of the liner with air.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of spreading an air permeable support structure within the interior region.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising the step of filling the liner with one of chlorine, hydrochloric acid, and caustic soda.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of removing the one of chlorine, hydrochloric acid, and caustic soda.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of neutralizing the liner with a neutralizing solution.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of filling the liner with a different one of chlorine, hydrochloric acid, and caustic soda.