Load box for storage tank containment

Abstract

A load box for containing liquid spillage has a container; with an upper access opening with a cover, attachable to a wall of a containment structure containing a liquid storage tank. An input opening configured to receive a discharge end of a tank conduit, and an output opening is configured to receive a suction end of a transport conduit. The container encloses a releasable connection between the suction end of the transport conduit and the discharge end of the tank conduit. An overflow opening is located such that liquid rising in the container flows through the overflow opening before rising to a level where liquid flows through one of the input and output openings, and an overflow conduit attached to the overflow opening is configured such that when a liquid level in the container rises to the overflow opening, liquid flows through the overflow conduit into the structure interior.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A load box apparatus for containing liquid spillage, the apparatus comprising:
 a container with an access opening in an upper portion thereof, and a cover movable from a closed position covering the access opening, to an open position;   the container adapted to be attached to a containment wall of a containment structure, the containment structure defining a substantially sealed structure interior containing a liquid storage tank;   an input opening in an upper portion of a wall of the container, the input opening configured to receive a discharge end of a tank conduit;   an output opening in an upper portion of a second wall, the output opening configured to receive a suction end of a transport conduit;   wherein the container is configured to substantially enclose a releasable connection between the suction end of the transport conduit and the discharge end of the tank conduit;   an overflow opening in a wall of the container, the overflow opening located such that liquid rising in the container flows through the overflow opening before rising to a level where liquid flows through one of the input and output openings; and   an overflow conduit connected at an input end to the overflow opening and having an output end inside the structure interior, and configured such that when a liquid level in the container rises to the overflow opening, liquid flows through the overflow conduit into the structure interior.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the overflow opening is located below the input and output openings. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the container is adapted to be attached to the containment wall such that the overflow opening is above a top edge of the containment wall, and such that the overflow conduit passes over the conduit wall. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the container is adapted to be attached to the containment wall such that the overflow opening is below a top edge of the containment wall, and such that the overflow conduit passes through a hole in the containment wall. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the overflow conduit is sealed to the hole in the containment wall. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  further comprising a check valve in the overflow conduit operative to prevent a flow of liquid from the structure interior to the overflow opening. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the access opening extends downward along a front wall of the container to provide the output opening. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the input opening is defined in a back wall of the container, opposite the front wall. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the input opening is provided by a coupler fitting sealed to a wall of the container, the coupler fitting adapted at an exterior end thereof for attachment to the discharge end of the tank conduit, and adapted at an interior end thereof inside the container for releasable attachment to the suction end of the transport conduit. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a secondary container adapted to be located inside the structure interior, and wherein the output end of the overflow conduit is configured to direct liquid into the secondary container. 
     
     
         11 . A method of containing liquid spillage when removing liquid from a storage tank, wherein the storage tank is contained in the interior of a containment structure with a containment wall enclosing a substantially sealed structure interior, the method comprising:
 mounting a container to the containment wall, and providing an access opening in an upper portion thereof, and a cover movable from a closed position covering the access opening, to an open position;   providing an input opening in an upper portion of a wall of the container, and inserting a discharge end of a tank conduit through the input opening into an interior of the container;   providing an output opening in an upper portion of a second wall, and inserting a suction end of a transport conduit through the output opening into the interior of the container;   connecting the suction end of the transport conduit to the discharge end of the tank conduit inside the container interior;   providing an overflow opening in a wall of the container, and locating the overflow opening such that liquid rising in the container flows through the overflow opening before rising to a level where liquid flows through one of the input and output openings; and   providing an overflow conduit connected at an input end to the overflow opening and having an output end inside the structure interior, and configuring the overflow conduit such that when a liquid level in the container rises to the overflow opening, liquid flows through the overflow conduit into the structure interior.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the input opening and output opening is configured such that liquid rising to a level of the at least one of the input opening and output opening will flow out of the container through the at least one of the input opening and output opening, and wherein the overflow opening is located below the at least one of the input opening and output opening.