Dual Tank Structure with Integral Secondary Containment

Abstract

A dual tank structure includes first and second tanks with a common secondary containment structure which are all integrally supported on a common base frame. The common base frame includes longitudinal skids so as to be suitable for transport using a conventional winch truck. A passageway with an integral valve therein permits selective communication between the tanks. The common containment structure has a containment volume which is greater than a storage volume of a largest one of the first tank and the second tank and which is less than a combined storage volume of both the first tank and the second tank.

1 . A dual tank structure comprising:
 a base frame which is elongate in a longitudinal direction and which includes at least two beams extending in the longitudinal direction along a bottom side so as to be arranged to facilitate handling and transport of the dual tank structure;   a first tank integrally supported on the base frame;   a second tank integrally supported on the base frame; and   a common containment structure integrally supported on the base frame and spanning below both the first and second tanks;   the common containment structure having a containment volume which is greater than a storage volume of a largest one of the first tank and the second tank and which is less than a combined storage volume of both the first tank and the second tank.   
     
     
         2 . The dual tank structure according to  claim 1  wherein the containment volume is approximately 110% to 120% of the storage volume of the largest one of the first tank and the second tank. 
     
     
         3 . The dual tank structure according to  claim 1  in combination with a winch truck including a deck and a winch for winching an object onto the deck and wherein the base frame of the dual tank structure includes an anchor arranged for connection to the winch and wherein the beams of the base frame of the dual tank structure are arranged to be supported on the deck of the winch truck. 
     
     
         4 . The dual tank structure according to  claim 1  wherein the base frame includes a floor panel spanning in the longitudinal direction and wherein the containment structure comprises a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the floor panel partway up a height of the first and second tanks to an open top end of the containment volume. 
     
     
         5 . The dual tank structure according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second tanks are elongate in the longitudinal direction and are mounted on the base frame end to end in series with one another. 
     
     
         6 . The dual tank structure according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a continuous cylindrical tank wall supported on the base frame and a divider member supported in the continuous cylindrical tank wall to define the first tank and the second tank on opposing sides of the divider member within the continuous cylindrical tank wall. 
     
     
         7 . The dual tank structure according to  claim 6  wherein the divider member comprises an assembly of a first wall and a second wall joined to the continuous cylindrical tank wall to define inner ends of the first tank and the second tank respectively. 
     
     
         8 . The dual tank structure according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a passageway communicating between the first tank and the second tank. 
     
     
         9 . The dual tank structure according to  claim 8  wherein the passageway communicates with the first tank adjacent a top end of the first tank. 
     
     
         10 . The dual tank structure according to  claim 9  wherein there is provided a riser supported in the first tank having an open top end in communication with an interior of the first tank adjacent the top end of the first tank and wherein the passageway communicates between a bottom end of the riser in the first tank and the second tank. 
     
     
         11 . The dual tank structure according to  claim 8  wherein there is provided a shut-off valve in series with the passageway including an actuator member supported externally of the first and second tanks for operating the valve between respective open and closed positions. 
     
     
         12 . The dual tank structure according to  claim 1  wherein a first end of the base frame protrudes longitudinally outward beyond the first and second tanks and wherein there is provided an enclosure on the base frame between the first end of the base frame and the first tank and a plurality of valves within the enclosure in communication with the first tank. 
     
     
         13 . The dual tank structure according to  claim 12  wherein the valves include a wash valve in communication with a wash line extending into the first tank and supporting wash nozzles thereon and a drain valve in communication with the first tank adjacent the bottom end thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The dual tank structure according to  claim 12  wherein a second end of the base frame protrudes longitudinally outward beyond the first and second tanks and wherein there is provided an enclosure on the base frame between the second end of the base frame and the second tank and a plurality of valves within the enclosure in communication with the second tank. 
     
     
         15 . The dual tank structure according to  claim 1  wherein there is provided a fire tube extending through the first tank in communication between a burner fitting at one end of the fire tube and an exhaust stack at the other end of the fire tube. 
     
     
         16 . The dual tank structure according  claim 1  wherein:
 a continuous cylindrical tank wall is supported on the base frame and a divider member is supported in the continuous cylindrical tank wall to define the first tank and the second tank on opposing sides of the divider member within the continuous cylindrical tank wall; 
 the base frame further comprises a rectangular floor panel spanning horizontally in the longitudinal direction which is supported on the beams which extend along a bottom side of the floor panel; 
 the containment structure further comprises a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from each side of the floor panel about a full perimeter of the floor panel partway up a height of the first and second tanks to an open top end of the containment volume; and 
 the base frame further comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart tank supports, each tank support being joined at a bottom side to the floor panel, being joined at outer sides to respective side walls of the containment structure, and being joined at a top side to the continuous cylindrical tank wall. 
 
     
     
         17 .- 19 . (canceled)