Liquid containment system

Abstract

There is provided a liquid containment system that includes a flexible balloon bladder having a holding capacity of holding at least 300 gallons of liquid. The bladder has at least one opening through which liquids are pumped into or out of the bladder. A support structure surrounds and provides lateral support to the bladder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A liquid containment system, comprising:
 a flexible balloon bladder having a holding capacity of at least 300 gallons of liquid, the bladder having at least one opening through which liquids are pumped into or out of the bladder; and   a support structure that surrounds and provides lateral support to the bladder.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid containment system of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of panels which are transported in a disassembled state and then assembled on site to form the support structure. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid containment system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one conduit extends externally of the support structure for making a fluid flow connection with the bladder. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid containment system of  claim 1 , wherein the bladder is transportable in a folded state on a skid. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid containment system of  claim 4 , wherein the skid has sidewalls which enclose the skid to form a shipping container for transport, the sidewalls being one of movable or removable on site to facilitate access to the bladder. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid containment system of  claim 4 , wherein the skid has a first portion and a second portion, at least one conduit extending through the skid with a first connection at a first end of the at least one conduit positioned in the first portion and a second connection at a second end of the at least one conduit positioned in the second portion, the skid underlying at least one of the plurality of panels of the support structure with the first portion of the skid positioned within the enclosure and the second portion of the skid positioned outside the enclosure, the bladder being connected to the first connection and the second connection being positioned externally of the support structure for making a fluid connection with the bladder. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid containment system of  claim 6 , wherein there is more than one conduit. 
     
     
         8 . The liquid containment system of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the bladder is secured to a skid that has at the least one flow conduit that is in fluid communication with the at least one opening in the bladder. 
     
     
         9 . The liquid containment system of  claim 2 , wherein the bladder is secured to a skid and the skid serves as one of the plurality of panels that forms the support structure.