Tank vault

An above-ground storage tank for storing a flammable liquid comprising:

• a steel outer shell having a bottom surface, side surfaces, and an open top;
• a steel inner tank having a bottom surface, side surfaces, and a top surface, the inner tank being disposed within the outer shell, the bottom surface of the inner tank being spaced apart 6 inches from the bottom surface of the outer shell and the side surfaces of the inner tank being spaced apart 6 inches from the side surfaces of the outer shell to form a space between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• at least one bottom spacer disposed between the spaced apart bottom surfaces of the inner tank and the outer shell without extending to the side surfaces of either the inner tank or the outer shell, the at least one bottom spacer maintaining the space between the bottom surface of the inner tank and the bottom surface of the outer shell;
• a plurality of side spacers disposed between the spaced apart side surfaces of the inner tank and the outer shell without extending to the bottom surface of either the inner tank or the outer shell, each side spacer being attached to a side surface of the inner shell and being attached to a side surface of the outer shell to maintain the space therebetween, the plurality of side spacers preventing the inner tank from floating within the outer shell, at least two of the plurality of side spacers being disposed on opposite sides of the inner shell and having an aperture therethrough for receiving a hook for lifting the storage tank;
• initially pourable, fire-resistant insulating material disposed to fill the space between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• a plurality of hat-shaped 10 gauge steel vertically extending side supports attached to the inner surfaces of the inner tank to strengthen the sides of the inner tank,
• at least one hat-shaped 10 gauge steel horizontally extending top support attached to the inner surface of the top of the inner tank to strengthen the top of the inner tank;
• a plurality of horizontally extending cross-rib supports having opposite ends attached to side supports on opposite sides of the inner tank;
• and
• a plurality of C-channel shaped spacers attached to the bottom surface of the bottom of the outer shell, each spacer having two extension portions that extend beyond respective opposite sides of the outer shell, each extension portion having an aperture therethrough for receiving a mounting fastener.

An above-ground storage tank for storing a flammable liquid comprising:

• a closed inner tank for storing a flammable liquid, the inner tank having at least a bottom surface, side surfaces, and a top surface defining the inner tank;
• a metal outer shell having at least a bottom surface and side surfaces for housing the inner tank, the outer shell having a given thickness of at least 10 gauge and an open top;
• first means for spacing the bottom surface of the inner tank from the bottom surface of the outer shell;
• second means for spacing the side surfaces of the inner tank from the side surfaces of the outer shell, the first and second spacing means providing a space between the inner tank and the outer shell that is greater than the thickness of the outer shell, the space being provided between the bottom and side surfaces respectively of the inner tank and the outer shell;
• at least one pipe fitting attached to the inner tank and providing communication between the inside and outside of the inner tank;
• and
• fire resistant insulating material that includes cement disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground storage tank for storing a flammable liquid comprising:

• an inner tank for storing a flammable liquid, the inner tank being shaped as a rectangular block and having at least a bottom surface and side surfaces defining the inner tank;
• an outer shell having at least a bottom surface and side surfaces for housing the inner tank, the outer shell being shaped as a rectangular block and having a given thickness of at least 10 gauge;
• first means for spacing the bottom surface of the inner tank from the bottom surface of the outer shell;
• second means for spacing the side surfaces of the inner tank from the side surfaces of the outer shell, the first and second spacing means providing a space between the inner tank and the outer shell that is greater than the thickness of the outer shell, the space being provided between the bottom and side surfaces respectively of the inner tank and the outer shell;
• at least one pipe fitting attached to the inner tank and providing communication between the inside and outside of the inner tank;
• and
• fire resistant insulating material that includes cement disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground storage tank for storing a flammable liquid comprising:

• an inner tank for storing a flammable liquid, the inner tank being cylindrical in shape and having at least a bottom surface and side surfaces defining the inner tank;
• a steel outer shell having at least a bottom surface and side surfaces for housing the inner tank, the outer shell being cylindrical in shape and having a given thickness of at least 10 gauge;
• first means for spacing the bottom surface of the inner tank from the bottom surface of the outer shell;
• second means for spacing the side surfaces of the inner tank from the side surfaces of the outer shell, the first and second spacing means providing a space between the inner tank and the outer shell that is greater than the thickness of the outer shell, the space being provided between the bottom and side surfaces respectively of the inner tank and the outer shell;
• at least one pipe fitting attached to the inner tank and providing communication between the inside and outside of the inner tank;
• and
• fire resistant insulating material that includes cement disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground vaulted storage tank for storing a flammable liquid comprising:

• an inner tank for storing a flammable liquid, the inner tank having at least a bottom surface and side surfaces defining the inner tank;
• an outer shell having at least a bottom surface and side surfaces for housing the inner tank, the outer shell having a given thickness;
• first means for spacing the bottom surface of the inner tank from the bottom surface of the outer shell, the first means for spacing being attached to the bottom surface of the inner tank and to the bottom surface of the outer shell;
• second means for spacing the side surfaces of the inner tank from the side surfaces of the outer shell, the second means for spacing being attached to the side surfaces of the inner tank and to the side surfaces of the outer shell, the first and second spacing means providing a space between the inner tank and the outer shell that is greater than the thickness of the outer shell, the space being provided between the bottom and side surfaces respectively of the inner tank and the outer shell;
• at least one pipe fitting attached to the inner tank and providing communication between the inside and outside of the inner tank;
• and
• fire resistant insulating material that includes cement disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground storage tank for storing a flammable liquid comprising:

• an inner tank for storing a flammable liquid, the inner tank having at least a bottom surface, side surfaces and a top surface defining the inner tank;
• an outer shell having at least a bottom surface and side surfaces for housing the inner tank the outer shell having a given thickness;
• first means for spacing the bottom surface of the inner tank from the bottom surface of the outer shell;
• second means for spacing the side surfaces of the inner tank from the side surfaces of the outer shell, the first and second spacing means providing a space between the inner tank and the outer shell that is greater than the thickness of the outer shell, the space being provided between the bottom and side surfaces respectively of the inner tank and the outer shell;
• at least one pipe fitting attached to the inner tank and providing communication between the inside and outside of the inner tank;
• means for supporting the side surfaces and the top surface of the inner tank, the support means including a plurality of ribs, each having a hat-shaped cross section, mounted upon said side surfaces and said top surface;
• and
• an initially pourable and subsequently solid fire resistant insulating material that includes cement disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground storage tank for storing a flammable liquid comprising:

• a double-sided inner tank for storing a flammable liquid, the inner tank having at least a bottom surface and side surfaces defining the inner tank;
• an outer shell having at least a bottom surface and side surfaces for housing the inner tank, the outer shell having a given thickness;
• first means for spacing the bottom surface of the inner tank from the bottom surface of the outer shell;
• second means for spacing the side surfaces of the inner tank from the side surfaces of the outer shell, the first and second spacing means providing a space between the inner tank and the outer shell that is greater than the thickness of the outer shell, the space being provided between the bottom and side surfaces respectively of the inner tank and the outer shell;
• and
• fire resistant insulating material that includes cement disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground storage tank for storing a liquid consisting of gasoline or diesel fuel comprising:

• a metal outer shell having walls forming a container;
• a closed inner tank defining an interior space for storing a liquid consisting of gasoline or diesel fuel disposed within the outer shell, the inner tank having walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• a pipe fitting attached to the inner tank and providing access to the interior of the inner tank;
• and
• a solid, nonpourable insulating material disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground storage tank for storing a liquid from the group consisting of gasoline and diesel fuel comprising:

• a metal outer shell having walls forming a container;
• a closed inner tank disposed within the outer shell, the inner tank having walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space of at least 6 inches between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• a pipe fitting secured to and providing access to the inner tank;
• and
• a fire resistant, initially pourable and subsequently hardenable insulating material disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground vaulted storage tank for storing a flammable liquid comprising:

• metal outer shell having walls forming a container;
• a closed, cylindrical inner tank for storing a flammable liquid disposed within the outer shell, the inner tank having a capacity of at least 1,000 gallons and having an interior defined by walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• a pipe joint secured to the inner tank and providing access to the interior of the inner tank;
• and
• solid insulating material disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground vaulted storage tank for storing a flammable liquid comprising:

• a metal outer shell having walls forming a container, the container forming walls having a thickness of at least 10 gauge;
• a closed, cylindrical inner tank for storing a flammable liquid disposed within the outer shell, the inner tank having an interior defined by walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• a pipe joint secured to the inner tank and providing access to the interior of the inner tank;
• and
• solid insulating material including cement disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground vaulted storage tank for storing a liquid comprising:

• a metal outer shell having walls forming a vaulted tank container;
• a closed inner tank disposed within the outer shell, the inner tank having walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• a plurality of pipe fittings secured to the inner tank on a top side thereof and providing access to the inside of the inner tank;
• and
• a solid fire resistant insulating material disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground storage tank for storing a liquid comprising:

• a metal outer shell having walls forming a container;
• a closed inner tank disposed within the outer shell, the inner tank having walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space of at least 6 inches between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• a plurality of pipe fittings secured to the inner tank on a top side thereof and providing access to the inside of the inner tank;
• and
• insulating material including cement disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground vaulted storage tank for storing a liquid comprising:

• a metal outer shell having walls forming a vaulted tank container;
• a closed, cylindrical inner tank disposed within the outer shell, the inner tank having walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• a plurality of pipe fittings secured to the inner tank on a top side thereof and providing access to the inside of the inner tank;
• and
• insulating material disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground vaulted storage tank for storing gasoline comprising:

• a metal outer shell having walls forming a vaulted tank container;
• a closed inner tank for storing gasoline disposed within the outer shell, the inner tank having walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• a plurality of pipe fittings secured to the inner tank on a top side thereof and providing access to the inside of the inner tank;
• and
• fire resistant insulating material including cement disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell, the space having sufficient thickness to enable the storage tank to at least meet a two hour fire wall rating.

An above-ground vaulted storage tank for storing a flammable liquid comprising:

• a metal outer shell having walls with a thickness of at least 10 gauge forming a container;
• a closed inner tank for storing a flammable liquid inside thereof disposed within the outer shell, the inner tank having walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space of at least 6 inches between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• a pipe fitting secured to the inner tank and providing access to the inside of the inner tank;
• and
• a fire resistant insulating material disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell, the fire resistant insulating material being a material from a group of materials consisting of cement, sand, gravel, heat-resistant plastic, polyethylene and a fire retardant foam.

An above-ground storage tank for storing a liquid from a group consisting of gasoline and diesel fuel, the storage tank comprising:

• a steel outer shell having walls with a thickness of at least 10 gauge forming a container;
• a closed, cylindrical inner tank for storing a liquid from a group consisting of gasoline and diesel fuel, the inner tank being disposed within the outer shell, the inner tank having walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• a pipe fitting attached to the inner tank and providing access to the inner tank;
• and
• insulating material disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell, the insulating material being a material from a group of materials consisting of cement, sand, gravel and a fire retardant foam.

An above-ground vaulted storage tank for storing a liquid comprising:

• a steel outer shell having walls forming a container;
• a closed inner tank disposed within the outer shell, the inner tank having steel walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• a plurality of pipe fittings secured by welding to the inner tank on a top side thereof and providing access to the inside of the inner tank;
• and
• initially pourable, solid insulating material disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell, the insulating material completely enclosing the inner tank except for areas where the pipe fittings provide access to the inside of the inner tank.

An above-ground storage tank for storing a flammable liquid comprising:

• a steel outer shell having walls forming a container;
• a closed, steel inner tank for storing a flammable liquid disposed within the outer shell, the inner tank having walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space of at least 6 inches between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• a plurality of pipe fittings secured to the inner tank on a top side thereof and providing access to the inside of the inner tank;
• and
• fire resistant insulating material containing cement disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground vaulted storage tank for storing a liquid comprising:

• a metal outer shell having walls forming a container;
• a closed, cylindrical inner tank disposed within the outer shell, the inner tank having steel walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• a plurality of pipe fittings secured by welding to the steel inner tank on a top side thereof and providing access to the inside of the inner tank;
• and
• solid insulating material containing cement disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground vaulted storage tank for storing a liquid comprising:

• a steel outer shell having walls forming a container;
• a closed, steel inner tank for storing a flammable liquid, the inner tank having a length of at least 120 inches, being disposed within the outer shell and having walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• a plurality of pipe fittings secured to the inner tank on a top side thereof and providing access to the inside of the inner tank;
• and
• a solid fire resistant insulating material disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell, the space having sufficient thickness to enable the storage tank to meet a two hour fire wall rating.

An above-ground storage tank for storing a liquid comprising:

• a steel outer shell having walls forming a container;
• a closed, double walled, cylindrical inner tank having a liquid storage capacity of at least 250 gallons disposed within the outer shell, the inner tank having steel walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• a plurality of pipe fittings secured by welding to the steel inner tank on a top side thereof and providing access to the inside of the inner tank;
• and
• insulating material disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground vaulted storage tank for storing a flammable liquid comprising:

• a steel outer shell having walls having a thickness of at least 10 gauge forming a container;
• an inner tank for storing at least 500 gallons of a flammable liquid disposed within the outer shell, the inner tank having a steel top and having steel walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• a plurality of pipe fittings secured by welding to the inner tank on a top side thereof and providing access to the inside of the inner tank;
• and
• solid insulating material disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell, the insulating material completely enclosing the inner tank except for areas where the pipe fittings provide access to the inside of the inner tank.

An above-ground vaulted storage tank for storing a liquid comprising:

• a metal outer shell having walls forming a vaulted container;
• a closed inner tank having a capacity of at least 1000 gallons disposed within the outer shell, the inner tank having walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• and
• fire resistant insulating material including cement disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground storage tank for storing a liquid comprising:

• a metal outer shell having walls forming a container;
• a closed, cylindrical inner tank having a capacity of at least 500 gallons disposed within the outer shell, the inner tank having walls disposed in spaced relationship to the walls of the outer shell to form a space between the inner tank and the outer shell;
• and
• initially pourable, subsequently hardening insulating material containing cement disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell.

An above-ground storage tank for storing a flammable liquid comprising:

• an outer metalic shell having a bottom wall and surrounding side walls defining a container, the shape of the outer shell being chosen from a group consisting of cubic and rectangular block shapes;
• an inner tank for storing a flammable liquid, the inner tank having bottom, side, and top walls defining a closed liquid container, the inner tank being disposed within the outer shell with the bottom wall of the inner tank in opposed, spaced relationship to the bottom wall of the outer shell and with the side walls of the inner tank in spaced relationship to opposed side walls of the outer shell to form a space around the bottom and side walls of the inner tank that is adapted to receive a pourable insulating material, the shape of the inner tank being chosen from a group consisting of cubic, cylindrical and rectangular block shapes;
• at least one bottom spacer disposed to maintain the spaced relationship between the bottom wall of the inner tank and the bottom wall of the outer shell, each bottom spacer being attached to the bottom wall of at least either the inner tank or outer shell;
• a plurality of side spacers disposed to maintain the spaced relationship between the side walls of the inner tank and the opposed side walls of the outer shell;
• a pipe fitting secured to the inner tank, the pipe fitting providing access to remove a flammable liquid from the inner tank;
• and
• initially pourable, solid insulating material disposed within the space around the bottom and side walls of the inner tank.

A process of forming a storage tank for above-ground storage of a flammable liquid, the process comprising the acts of:

• forming a metal outer shell having a bottom and a plurality of side walls defining the outer shell;
• forming an inner tank having a bottom and a plurality of side walls defining the inner tank;
• placing the inner tank within the outer shell;
• forming a space between the inner tank and the outer shell by placing a plurality of spacers between the bottom of the inner tank and the bottom of the outer shell and placing a plurality of spacers between side walls of the inner tank and opposed side walls of the outer shell;
• transporting the result of the above stated recitations to a site where the storage tank is to be used;
• and
• after transporting the result of the above stated recitations to a site where the storage tank is to be used, filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell with a pourable insulating material.

A process of forming an above-ground fire resistant storage tank for storing a liquid, the process comprising the acts of:

• forming a metal outer shell with a bottom surface and surrounding side wall surfaces having upper edges which define a container having an opening for receiving an inner tank;
• providing a closed inner tank for storing a liquid having bottom, top and side surfaces and including at least one aperture for receiving a liquid to be stored;
• mounting the inner tank within the outer shell in spaced-apart relationship from the shell bottom and side wall surfaces to form a substantially continuous space therebetween, the inner tank being positioned within the outer shell by supports which extend between at least one side surface of the storage tank and a corresponding side surface of the outer shell in such a way as to permit the flow of a pourable insulating material into the substantially continuous space;
• and
• filling the substantially continuous space between the inner tank side and bottom surfaces and the outer shell side wall and bottom surfaces, respectively with a pourable insulating material to produce the above-ground fire resistant storage tank.

An above-ground storage tank for storing a flammable liquid comprising:

• an outer shell of a given thickness having at least a bottom and side walls defining the outer shell;
• an inner tank for storing a flammable liquid inside thereof, the inner tank having at least a bottom and side walls defining the inner tank, the inner tank being disposed within the outer shell;
• at least one pipe fitting attached to the inner tank and providing access to the inside of the inner tank from outside the outer shell;
• first means for spacing the bottom of the inner tank from the bottom of the outer shell;
• second means for spacing the side walls of the inner tank from the side walls of said outer shell, the first and second spacing means providing a space greater than the given thickness of the outer shell between the inner tank and the outer shell, the space being provided between the bottom and side walls respectively of the inner tank and the outer shell, the space between the inner tank and the outer shell having sufficient minimum thickness to at least meet a two-hour fire wall rating;
• and
• fire resistant insulating material disposed within and filling the space between the inner tank and the outer shell, the insulating material being a material that is initially pourable and that hardens after pouring, thereby becoming nonpourable.