Storage tank with internal floor

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a storage tank which includes a sloped internal plate(s) fabricated within a bottom portion of the tank to form an internal sloping floor. The storage tank may further include at least one optional sump and/or optional support saddle extending out from the tank body. The tank may include internal lining that covers at least a portion of the interior of the tank. A draw-off pipe may be included for removing water, sludge, or other undesirable elements collected at the base of the internal sloping floor.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A fuel storage tank comprising a tank floor, comprising:
 an internal sloping floor welded to a portion of the fuel storage tank near said tank floor or bottom;   a collection point located at a low end of the internal sloping floor, the collection point configured to collect water or sludge; and   a draw-off pipe configured to provide access to the collection point fir removing the water or sludge from the tank.   
     
     
         2 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the internal sloping floor is configured to create an internal slope to a grade of about 1% to greater than 5%. 
     
     
         3 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the collection point is located on said tank floor or bottom. 
     
     
         4 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the collection point comprises a sump built into the fuel storage tank at the collection point. 
     
     
         5 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel storage tank includes a horizontal cylindrical tank, vertical cylindrical tank or rectangular tank. 
     
     
         6 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel storage tank includes an underground or in-ground fuel storage tank, and wherein the fuel storage tank comprises a material made of one or more of carbon steel, stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, non-metallic fiberglass reinforce plastic, polyethylene, and concrete. 
     
     
         7 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel storage tank includes an above-ground fuel storage tank, and wherein the fuel storage tank comprises a material made of one or more of carbon steel, stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, non-metallic fiberglass reinforce plastic, polyethylene, and concrete. 
     
     
         8 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first compartment; and   one or more additional compartments,   wherein each additional compartment comprises one or more additional collection points and one or more additional internal sloping floors.   
     
     
         9 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the internal sloping floor comprises a material made of one or more of carbon steel, stainless steel, duplex stainless steel, and non-metallic materials. 
     
     
         10 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 9 , wherein the internal sloping floor comprises at least a non-metallic material, the non-metallic material comprising fiberglass reinforced plastic, polyethylene, or concrete. 
     
     
         11 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a manway that provides access to an interior portion of the fuel storage tank.   
     
     
         12 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the draw-off pipe is configured to allow manual collection of the water or sludge from the collection point. 
     
     
         13 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the draw-off pipe is configured to allow automatic removal of the water or sludge from the collection point via a collection device. 
     
     
         14 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the internal sloping floor has a thickness of at least 10 gauge. 
     
     
         15 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the internal sloping floor has a thickness of less than 10 gauge. 
     
     
         16 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the draw-off pipe is configured to terminate about two inches above the tank floor at the collection point. 
     
     
         17 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the draw-off pipe is configured to terminate on the floor of the fuel storage tank at the collection point, and wherein the fuel storage tank further comprises one or more access openings in the wall of the bottom of the draw-off pipe for free-flow collection of the water and sludge. 
     
     
         18 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel storage tank comprises a single wall tank; a horizontal cylindrical tank, a rectangular tank; a vertical cylindrical tank; a multiple containment tank; a double wall tank, a jacketed tank, or a double bottom tank. 
     
     
         19 . The filet storage tank of  claim 18 , wherein the fuel storage tank comprises an external tank wall, and wherein the tank floor includes an opening for communication between an interstice between the tank floor and the external tank wall, and a space between the internal sloping floor and the tank floor. 
     
     
         20 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel storage tank is an existing fuel storage tank, and wherein the internal sloping floor is added in-situ. 
     
     
         21 . A fuel storage tank having an inner wall with a portion of the inner wall forming a tank floor, the fuel storage tank comprising:
 an internal sloping floor hermetically affixed to a portion of the inner wall, forming an air-tight cavity between the internal sloping floor and said tank floor; and   a collection point located at a low end of the internal sloping floor, the collection point configured to allow water or sludge to collect and to be removed from the tank.   
     
     
         22 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 21 , wherein the internal sloping floor includes an internal slope having a grade of about 1% to eater than 5%. 
     
     
         23 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a first compartment; and   one or more additional compartments,   wherein each additional compartment comprises an additional collection point and an additional internal sloping floor.   
     
     
         24 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 21 , wherein the internal sloping floor includes a thickness of at least 10 gauge. 
     
     
         25 . The fuel storage tank of  claim 21 , wherein the internal sloping floor includes a thickness of less than 10 gauge. 
     
     
         26 . A fuel storage tank having an inner wall with a portion of the inner wall forming a tank floor, the fuel storage tank comprising:
 an internal sloping floor hermetically affixed to a portion of the inner wall, forming an air-tight cavity between the internal sloping floor and said tank floor;   a collection point located at a low end of the internal sloping floor, the collection point configured to allow water or sludge to collect and to be removed from the tank; and   a draw-off pipe configured to provide access to the collection point for removing the water or sludge from the tank.