Storage vault and method

A method for making a storage vault for containing a liquid hydrocarbon, comprising the following steps:

• providing an inner container to hold said hydrocarbon, said inner container having a top;
• providing an enclosure defined by wall forms and a base plate;
• covering at least a substantial portion of said inner container with a spacer material that liquefies upon contact with said hydrocarbon;
• wrapping said spacer material and inner container with a single sheet of polyurethane film material, said single sheet having edges;
• gathering said edges over said top of said inner container to create a liquid barrier;
• positioning the combination of said inner container, said spacer material and said sheet within said enclosure;
• and
• emtombing said wrapped spacer material and inner container by placing concrete within a region between said wall forms and said combination of said inner container, said spacer material and said sheet, to produce a homogenous layer of concrete which serves as an outer container.

A method for making an above-ground storage vault for containing a liquid hydrocarbon, comprising the following steps:

• providing an inner container to hold said hydrocarbon, said inner container having a top;
• providing an enclosure defined by wall forms and a base plate;
• covering at least a substantial portion of said inner container with a spacer material that liquefies upon contact with said hydrocarbon;
• wrapping said spacer material and inner container with a single sheet of polyurethane film material, said single sheet having edges;
• gathering said edges over said top of said inner container to create a liquid barrier;
• positioning the combination of said inner container, said spacer material and said sheet within said enclosure;
• and
• entombing said wrapped spacer material and inner container by placing concrete within a region between said wall forms and said combination of said inner container, said spacer material and said sheet, to produce a homogenous layer of concrete which serves as an outer container.