Patent ID: 8851321

Claim:
A storage containment tank for use in containing a large volume of high pressure compressed natural gas (CNG) or a large volume of liquid natural gas (LNG), the storage tank comprising: four rigid substantially vertical hollow tubular walls positioned approximately 90 degrees apart, the vertical walls each having a longitudinal axis and a first and a second end; four rigid substantially horizontal upper hollow tubular walls each having a longitudinal axis interconnecting and in fluid communication with the respective first ends of the vertical tubular walls; four rigid substantially horizontal lower hollow tubular walls each having a longitudinal axis interconnecting and in fluid communication with the respective second ends of vertical tubular walls, the upper horizontal tubular walls, the lower horizontal tubular walls and the vertical tubular walls forming a six-sided cubic-shaped tank configuration defining an interior fluid storage chamber; a closure plate positioned on each side of the six sides of the tank connected to the adjacent upper and lower horizontal and vertical tubular wall outer surfaces to define a central storage fluid chamber; a tank support connected to the outer surfaces of the lower horizontal tubular walls on at least four of the six sides of the tank, the tank support operable to reinforce the tank against static and dynamic loading from the stored fluid in the interior and central storage chambers; and a bulkhead positioned inside at least one of the horizontal tubular walls and oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis, the bulkhead defining at least one aperture to permit a restricted flow of fluid through the bulkhead, the bulkhead including a rigid outer periphery configured for reinforcing a cylindrical cross section of the respective horizontal tubular wall and a flexible membrane inner portion defining the at least one aperture.