Portable Fluid Storage System

Abstract

A portable fluid storage system for use during frac jobs or other operations requiring storage of water or other fluids. The system comprises a lower chamber and an upper chamber sized to fit within the lower chamber. A lift system, such as screw jacks or rack and pinion gears, is disposed to move the lower chamber from a collapsed position to an extended position where the upper chamber is positioned above the lower chamber. A seal is disposed to engage the upper chamber and the lower chamber when the system is in the extended position. The upper chamber, the seal, and the lower chamber form a water tight compartment when the system is in the extended position. The system is transported as a traditional frac tank with a tractor or other truck. When positioned for use, the storage system is expanded to hold twice as much fluid as a traditional tank.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable fluid storage container system comprising:
 a lower chamber comprising a bottom and at least one side wall secured to the bottom and having a top edge, the top edge defining an open top of the lower chamber;   an upper chamber comprising a top and at least one side wall secured to the top and having a bottom edge, the bottom edge defining an open bottom of the upper chamber;
 wherein the upper chamber is movable between a first collapsed position in which the upper chamber is disposed within the lower chamber and a second extended position in which the upper chamber sits above the lower chamber; 
   a lift system operatively connected to the lower chamber and the upper chamber, the lift system operable to move the upper chamber between the collapsed position and the extended position;   a seal unit disposed to engage the lower chamber and the upper chamber when the upper chamber unit is in the extended position;   a bulge preventer adapted to connect the side wall of the lower chamber to the side wall of the upper chamber when the upper chamber is in the extended position;   wherein when the upper chamber is in the extended position the lower chamber, the seal unit, and the upper chamber define a water tight compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one side wall of the upper chamber comprises a front wall, a back wall, and a pair of opposing longitudinal walls; and
 wherein the at least one side wall of the lower chamber comprises a front wall, a back wall, and a pair of opposing longitudinal walls. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the lift system comprises:
 a first hydraulic cylinder, the first hydraulic cylinder comprising a barrel connected to the front wall of the lower chamber and further comprising a piston connected to the front wall of the upper chamber; and 
 a second hydraulic cylinder, the second hydraulic cylinder comprising a barrel connected to the back wall of the lower chamber and further comprising a piston connected to the back wall of upper chamber. 
 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the seal unit comprises a rubber gasket. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the seal unit comprises:
 an upper chamber flange connectable to the upper chamber; 
 a lower chamber flange connectable to the lower chamber; and 
 a seal secured to the lower chamber flange; 
 wherein the upper chamber flange contacts the seal when the upper chamber is in the extended position. 
 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the rubber gasket is compressible, such that when the upper chamber unit is in the extended position the rubber gasket is compressed between the upper chamber flange and the lower chamber flange. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a trailer axle and wheels connected to the lower chamber, the wheels allowing for rolling support of the lower chamber; and 
 a trailer tongue secured to the lower chamber, the tongue permitting the lower chamber to be towed on the wheels. 
 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the bulge preventer comprises:
 a plurality of wall hooks secured to the wall of the lower chamber; and 
 a plurality of retaining plates secured to the wall of the upper chamber; 
 wherein when the upper chamber is in the extended position the plurality of wall hooks on the lower chamber engage the plurality of retaining plates on the upper chamber. 
 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the bulge preventer comprises:
 a plurality of wall hooks secured to the wall of the upper chamber; and 
 a plurality of retaining plates secured to the wall of the lower chamber; 
 wherein when the upper chamber is in the extended position the plurality of wall hooks on the upper chamber engage the plurality of retaining plates on the lower chamber.