Abstract:
A low pressure gas storage system comprising an annular anchor ring, a granular bed within the ring, a flexible membrane of gas storage chamber positioned above the bed, and a flexible membrane of air chamber encompassing the gas storage chamber and exerting pressure thereon; and a plurality of flexible, radially-extending restraining means positioned against and over the air chamber to exert a predetermined pressure thereon.

Description:
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 860,613, filed May 7, 1986 and now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to gas storage devices, and more specifically, to low pressure gas storage devices used in conjunction with gas produced by wastewater treatment plants. 
     The most familiar form of separate gas storage consists of fixed-volume, high pressure steel gas spheres. Storage is achieved by compressing the gas from 6-8 inches of water column, to 50-100 psig. The gas is then regulated back to 6-8 inches of water column, for use. These high pressure storage spheres and associated compressors are very expensive and require considerable operational and maintenance expenditures. 
     The use of digester tanks utilizing anaerobic processes to treat wastewater sludge is well known and practiced in the art. During the anaerobic process, gases, typically methane and carbon dioxide, are given off and collected to be used either as fuel for heating the sludge mixture, or for commercial use by utilities. 
     Typical anaerobic digester tanks have a capacity for the storage of evolved gasses which is limited by the size of the tank and the construction of the tank cover. Many of the systems employ a floating gas holder positioned above the sludge which collects the gas and exerts a controlled downward pressurizing force on it. Floating gas holders have proved to be less than satisfactory due to their inherent problems of corrosion, freezing, tipping and leaking. 
     Attempts to replace floating gas holders have typically involved the construction of a rigid dome over the digester tank, and at least one membrane located beneath the dome for collecting and pressurizing the gas, as well as a center stack or gas well to provide an attachment point for the membrane and access to the interior of the tank for periodic maintenance. Digester covers of this type are expensive to produce, and often provide limited gas storage capacity. In addition, many plant operators find that the technical and economic factors associated with converting conventional digester covers to fixed cover-membrane type apparatus make such conversions impractical. 
     Thus, there is a need for a relatively low cost, low maintenance gas storage system which can be located practically anywhere gas needs to be stored and, especially, separately from a gas-generating operation, such as an anaerobic wastewater treatment tank. It is the object of the present invention to provide a separate gas storage system which satisfies the above-identified design objectives. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a low-cost, simple, low-pressure gas storage system for use in conjunction with the distribution of natural gas or the gas-producing aspects of wastewater treatment facilities, landfills or refuse disposal sites. 
     More specifically, a gas storage system is provided wherein the use of extensive rigid support walls and covers is eliminated. Instead, a dual-bladder type flexible membrane assembly is enclosed only by an anchor ring and a plurality of tensioned restraining cables. The dual-bladder system comprises an inner gas-filled chamber connected to a source of gas. A specified level of pressure is maintained upon the gas storage chamber by an outer flexible membrane which creates an air-filled chamber. The volume of air within the outer chamber compensates for changes in the volume of gas in the inner chamber to maintain a constant pressure thereon. 
     The outer air membrane is secured by a plurality of restraining cables. These cables define the curvature of the outer membrane to relieve stress on the flexible membrane material. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The many attributes and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a review of the drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 depicts an elevational view in partial section of the gas storage system of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 depicts a perspective elevation in partial section of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 depicts an enlarged elevational view in partial section of the means of attaching the membranes and cables to the anchor ring; 
     FIG. 4 depicts an enlarged plan view of the cable positioning device; and 
     FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged elevation in partial section of the gas/air outlet membrane seal. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like elements, a low pressure separate gas storage unit 10 is pictured. Storage unit 10 is comprised of an annular or peripheral anchor ring 12 partially set into the substrate. Anchor ring 12 is preferably fabricated of a flow and set material such as concrete. Anchor ring 12 is further comprised of an outer shoulder 14 and a downwardly sloping interface 16. Interface 16 supports gas membrane 22 described below. 
     A floor 18, comprising a bed of particulate material such as sand, pea gravel or poured concrete is located within the area enclosed by anchor ring 12. Floor 18 is prepared to have a substantially level surface upon which floor membrane 20 may be laid. Floor membrane 20 is positioned upon floor 18, is substantially co-extensive with the confines of anchor ring 12, and is fabricated of a polymeric material which is gas impervious and abrasion resistant. Preferred floor membrane materials are polyvinyl chloride or vinyl coated polyester fabric having nonmigrating plasticizers. 
     A gas membrane 22, fabricated of material having properties similar to the floor membrane 20, is positioned above the floor membrane to create gas storage chamber 24. Gas membrane 22 and floor membrane 20 are sealingly secured to each other along their respective outer peripheries by heat welding or adhesives, or by the annular anchor plate 40 described below. 
     Gas is fed into chamber 24 via gas connection 26 which passes under anchor ring 12, through floor 18, and is sealingly secured to gas membrane 22 by a conventional flange plate 28 and backing plate 30 held in place by bolts 32. Connection 26 may convey gas from a transmission pipeline or another source of gas. 
     A second membrane 36 is positioned to encompass the gas membrane 22 and to create an air chamber 38 above gas membrane 22. Air membrane 36 is fabricated of a gas-impervious, durable yet flexible material such as vinyl coated polyester. Air membrane 36 is sealingly secured to the shoulder 14 of anchor ring 12 by anchor plate 40 and anchor bolts 42 embedded in anchor ring 12. The sealing qualities of this arrangement are enhanced by gaskets 44 and 46. The outer margin of membrane 36 is provided with annular bead 43 of rope-like material. 
     Anchor ring 12 is also provided with a plurality of cable anchors 48 fixed thereto in spaced relationship, each of which is provided with a mounting eyelet 50. A plurality of flexible restraining members 52 are arranged to define the curvature of air membrane 36 once it is inflated. The restraining members may be lengths of rope, sheathed chain, tie bars or wire cable. Each member 52 has two ends, each of which is provided with an eyelet 54. One end of the member is secured to cable anchor 48 via bolt 56 passing through eyelet 50. The restraining members 52 are preferably of a length such that each member may circumscribe air membrane 36. In that case both ends of the members 52 are secured to the anchor ring 12 in approximately diametrically opposed positions. When necessary, the members 52 may be maintained in proper orientation at the apex of membrane 36 by a positioning ring (not shown). 
     Alternatively, the cables may extend only to the apex of the outer membrane. A positioning ring 58 is located at the top of membrane 36 to maintain the members 52 in proper position. Ring 58 is comprised of circular base 60 and a plurality of brackets 62 positioned to hold each restraining member 52 in proper position. The restraining members 52 are pivotally secured to brackets 60 by fasteners 61, which may be pins or bolts. 
     FIG. 2 depicts an alternate embodiment of the present gas storage apparatus. Instead of the preferred spherical shape, an elongate configuration is provided, which differs from the preferred version principally in the arrangement of the restraining members 52. A centrally-positioned member 53 runs along the length of outer membrane 38. The remainder of restraining members 52 straddle membrane 38 and intersect member 53 at an approximate 90° angle. When necessary, the cables 52 and 53 may be secured at their intersection by tie-down means (not shown). 
     Air membrane 36 is inflated by means of an air blower 64 and air conduit 66, which create pressure on gas membrane 22. The pressure exerted by air chamber 38 on gas membrane 22 is regulated by pressure relief valve 68. Air outlet 70 is sealingly secured to air membrane 36 and is designed to permit a continual flow of air from chamber 38. 
     The normal tendency of gas membrane 22 to leak small quantities of gas into air chamber 36 creates a potentially explosive condition and must be alleviated. To this end, blower 64 and air outlet 70 are positioned around storage unit 10 to create a flow of air across gas membrane 22 which dilutes and dissipates any escaping gas. As a safety measure, gas detection device 72 may be mounted on air outlet 70 to monitor the presence of gas in the air flowing therethrough. Best results have been achieved by placing blower 64 approximately 180° away from air outlet 70. 
     In operation, the present invention is similar to commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,987 to Thornton, et al. Evolved gas is fed through connection 26 into gas storage chamber 24. In order to maintain a pre-set pressure on chamber 24, air is blown into air chamber 38 by blower 64. The pressure release valve 68 is calibrated so that the amount of air maintained in chamber 38 is sufficient to exert a preset pressure on the gas in storage chamber 24, regardless of the volume of that gas. 
     Restraining members 52 are designed to define the curvature of air membrane 36 so that the membrane fabric is not subjected to undue stress loading. The membrane fabric tends to bulge outwardly between respective restraining members, and the curvature of that bulge is designed to lower the stress on the membrane fabric. 
     Thus, the present invention discloses a separate low pressure gas storage system comprised of a flexible gas storage chamber and an inflated, pressurizing air chamber, those chambers being restrained only by an annular anchor ring and a plurality of flexible restraining members respectively. 
     Although a particular embodiment of this process has been described, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that changes and modifications might be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects.