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Title:
INTERMODAL FLUID TANK, SYSTEM FOR FLUID DISPENSING AND CORRESPONDING METHODS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2017/182717
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
An intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') and a system for dispensing fluid having the fluid tank (100, 100') are disclosed. The fluid tank (100, 100') has a cargo opening (110, 110') on a top wall of the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') for enabling loading at least one piece (120, 160) with a greatest dimension greater than 90 % of loadable longitudinal inner dimension of the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') at the cargo opening (110, 110'). A detachable cover structure (130, 130') is attached on the cargo opening (110, 110') so that the fluid tank (100, 100') is transportable in an intermodal transport system when packed with a cargo comprising the piece (120, 160). The cover structure resides on a cylindrical wall of the fluid tank (100, 100').

Inventors:
SISTONEN JARI (FI)
Application Number:
PCT/FI2017/050301
Publication Date:
October 26, 2017
Filing Date:
April 20, 2017
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
OY U-CONT LTD (FI)
International Classes:
B65D88/12; B60S5/02; B65D88/76; B67D7/78; E04H1/12
Domestic Patent References:
WO1997025230A11997-07-17
WO1994020341A11994-09-15
WO1997025230A11997-07-17
Foreign References:
CN102041907A2011-05-04
DE10139353A12003-05-15
CN2642732Y2004-09-22
GB1567814A1980-05-21
DE102014111814A12016-02-25
US20090134171A12009-05-28
DE2241557A11974-02-28
GB2325456A1998-11-25
EP1801035A12007-06-27
US20150303770A12015-10-22
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
ESPATENT OY (FI)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims:

1 . An intermodal fluid tank (100, 100'), characterized by comprising :

a cargo opening (1 10, 1 10') on a top wall of the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') configured to enable loading at least one piece (120, 160) that has a greatest dimension greater than 90 % of loadable longitudinal inner dimension of the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') at the cargo opening (1 10, 1 10'); and

a cover structure (130, 130') detachably attached onto the cargo opening (1 10, 1 10') so that the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') is transportable in an intermodal transport system when packed with a cargo comprising the piece (120, 160);

wherein the intermodal fluid tank is cylindrical ; and

the cargo opening (1 10, 1 10') resides on a cylindrical wall of the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100').

2. The intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') of claim 1 , characterized by comprising: an access opening (180) provided in the cover structure (130') for enabling service access while the cover structure (130') remains in place. 3. The intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') of claim 2, characterized in that the access opening (180) is smaller than the cargo opening (1 10, 1 10').

4. The intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') of any one of preceding claims, characterized in that the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') is configured to be buried under ground for underground fluid storage.

5. The intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') of claim 4, characterized by comprising beams configured to form a laterally expanding triangular support (310) for overground parts, when the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') is buried under ground.

6. The intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') of any one of preceding claims, characterized in that the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') is compartmentalized into two or more sections (140, 150) and the cargo opening (1 10, 1 10') provides access to at least one section (140, 150) of the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100').

7. The intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') of claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 6 when appended to claim 2, characterized by comprising a releasably attachable lid configured close the access opening (180).

8. The intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') of any one of preceding claims, characterized in that the cover structure is detachable without generation of sparks. 9. The intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') of any one of preceding claims, characterized in that the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') is configured to be transported and storaged in a horizontal orientation.

10. The intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') of any one of preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the fluid tank is greater than 2 times the diameter of the fluid tank.

1 1 . The intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') of any one of preceding claims, characterized by comprising a frame (170) configured to enable stacking of intermodal containers on top of the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') during transport and intermediate storage of the intermodal fluid tank (100, 1 00').

12. The intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') of claim 1 1 , characterized by the frame (170) being further configured to form a foundation for the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') when buried into ground.

13. The intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') of claim 1 1 or 12, characterized in that the frame (170) is configured to form a foundation for over-ground structures on top of the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') when buried into ground.

14. The intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') of any one of claims 1 1 to 13, characterized in that the frame (170) comprises a detachable structural part that is configured to strengthen the frame during transport and to provide a structural part in over-ground structures on top of the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') when the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') is buried into ground .

15. The intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') of any one of preceding claims, characterized by comprising body parts of a canopy (320, 320'). 16. The intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') of any one of preceding claims, characterized by comprising one or more gas containers loaded to the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100').

17. The intermodal fluid tank (100, 100') of any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized by comprising one or more gas containers (710) configured to store gas in a pressure greater than 20 MPa.

18. A system, characterized by comprising one or more intermodal fluid tanks (100, 100') of any one of the preceding claims, the one or more intermodal fluid tanks comprising more than 90 % all structural parts of an operable fluid dispensing station when measured by weight.

19. A system for fluid dispensing, characterized by comprising one or more intermodal fluid tanks (100, 100') of any one of the preceding claims buried into ground.

20. The system for fluid dispensing of claim 19, characterized by comprising one or more dispensing units (160,160') in a line that extends over the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100').

21 . The system for fluid dispensing of claim 20, characterized in that the line extends beyond one or two ends of the intermodal fluid tank (100, 100').

22. The system for fluid dispensing of any one of claims 19 to 21 , characterized by comprising an electricity source configured to produce electricity for operating the fluid dispensing system.

23. The fluid dispensing station of any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that the two or more intermodal fluid tanks (100, 100') are configured to endure being driven over with cars at least portions of said buried one or more intermodal fluid tanks (100, 100').

24. A method for forming an intermodal fluid tank, characterized by:

cutting a cargo opening to an intermodal tank container; and

attaching the cover structure defined in any one of claims 1 to 1 7 onto the cargo opening.

25. The method of claim 24, characterized by compartmentalizing the tank container into two or more sections.

26. The method of claim 24 or 25, characterized by attaching a lid to the cover structure for closing the cargo opening for transport of the intermodal fluid tank with its cargo in an intermodal transport system.

27. A method for constructing a fluid dispensing station, characterized by: receiving an intermodal fluid tank loaded with structural parts of the fluid dispensing system and comprising a cargo opening and a detachably attachable cover structure attached onto the cargo opening;

mounting the intermodal fluid tank to desired depth into ground for underground installation using a frame structure of the intermodal fluid tank as a foundation;

detaching a cover structure from the cargo opening on the intermodal fluid tank;

constructing the fluid dispensing station using the structural parts loaded into the intermodal fluid tank;

attaching the cover structure onto the cargo opening; and

covering the intermodal fluid tank with soil to bury the intermodal fluid tank into ground.

28. The method of claim 27, characterized by supporting a canopy on the frame structure of the intermodal fluid tank.

29. The method of claim 27 or 28, characterized by founding dispensing islands on the frame structure of the intermodal fluid tank.

30. The method of any one of claims 27 to 29, characterized by:

unloading a service chamber structure from the intermodal fluid tank; and installing the service chamber to enable service access to inside the intermodal fluid tank when buried under ground.

Description:
INTERMODAL FLUID TANK, SYSTEM FOR FLUID DISPENSING

AND CORRESPONDING METHODS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to an intermodal fluid tank and to a system for fluid dispensing.

BACKGROUND ART

This section illustrates useful background information without admission of any technique described herein representative of the state of the art.

WO 94/20341 discloses a fuel dispensing station that comprises an underground fuel tank, a pump island including a fuel pump for dispensing fuel contained in the tank, as well as a pump roofing. The fuel dispensing station is provided with a common foundation whereupon the fuel tank, the pump island and pump roofing are connected to each other as an integral unit. The dispensing station is adapted to be transported to an installation site as readily erectable blocks.

WO 97/25230 discloses a prefabricated modular fuel dispensing system comprising a foundation module including an underground fuel reservoir having a plurality of separate fuel storage compartments. A conduit containment trough is attached to the underground fuel reservoir to operatively house a corresponding plurality of fuel supply conduits and fuel dispensing conduits therein to feed fuel to and from the underground fuel reservoir. A fuel dispensing module includes a pump island to operatively support a plurality of fuel dispensing devices thereon coupled to the plurality of fuel dispensing conduits. A canopy module includes an upper canopy member held in fixed spaced relationship above the fuel dispensing module by a plurality of canopy support columns secured to the underground fuel reservoir.

Both WO 94/20341 and 97/25230 provide an underground tank part that contains prefabricated tanks and a foundation for visible structures of a fuel dispensing station. Double skinned or walled structures are used to avoid soil contamination in case of leakage. The prefabrication and reuse of underground parts as foundation elements simplifies installation of the dispensing station as well as helps to avoid buoyance problems that could be caused by water in the ground. As such, these publications provided useful advances in the constructing of fuel dispensing stations. However, the delivery and construction of fuel and other fluid dispensing stations is still costly and time consuming due to the sheer amount of bulky parts that need to be delivered and assembled despite of using some modular elements.

It is an object of the present invention to facilitate the delivery and construction of fluid dispensing stations or to at least provide new technical alternative(s). SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an intermodal fluid tank, as defined by appended claim 1 .

Advantageously, the cargo opening configured to enable loading of the piece in the fluid tank may allow using the interior of the fluid tank for delivery of one or more large pieces needed at the destination of the fluid tank.

The fluid tank may be compartmentalized into two or more sections. The cargo opening may provide loading access to a section of the fluid tank. The loadable inner dimension of the fluid tank at the cargo opening may define the loadable inner dimension of the fluid tank.

The fluid tank may have a generally round cross-section. The fluid tank may be cylindrical. The fluid tank may have a length that is multiple times the diameter of the fluid tank. The length of the fluid tank may be greater than 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 times the diameter of the fluid tank.

The piece may have a greatest dimension that is greater than 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, or 100 % of the longitudinal inner dimension of the fluid tank.

The fluid tank may comprise an attaching structure configured to enable attaching the piece to the fluid tank when loaded into the fluid tank. The attaching structure may be attached to an internal surface of the fluid tank. The attaching structure may be attached using at least one of welding; soldering; using screws; gluing; and squeezing between opposite internal surfaces.

The fluid tank may be formed of a standard ISO tank container. The forming of the fluid tank may comprise extending a standard container tank access opening to produce the cargo opening. The fluid tank may comprise the tank container lid configured to close the access opening.

The fluid tank may be loadable with a service chamber structure. The service chamber structure may be configured to form a service chamber onto an access opening of the fluid tank. The access opening may be standard container tank access opening.

The fluid tank may comprise plural tank sections configured for storage of different fluids separated from each other. The fluid tank may comprise separate fluid connections for each tank section. At least two of the fluid connections may be directed through same service chamber.

The cover structure may be configured to leave an access opening next to the cargo opening when the cover structure closes the cargo opening. Advantageously, an ordinary tank container may be modified to the fluid tank by expanding an access opening to form the cargo opening and subsequently closing the cargo opening by the cover structure so that such an access opening is left that is compatible with an ordinary tank container lid.

The cover structure may be attached with adhesive to close the cargo opening. Alternatively or additionally, the cover structure may be attached onto the cargo opening with a form locking part and / or using any one or more of: screw, wedge, belt and chain.

The cover structure may be detachable without generation of sparks. The cover structure may be attached such that its detaching is safe in the proximity of inflammable materials. The fluid tank may be configured to be buried under ground. The fluid tank may be configured to be at least water tight so as to keep water out of the fluid tank when buried under ground. The cover structure may be attached or attachable water tightly onto the cargo opening. That the fluid tank is configured to be buried may enable efficient use of space e.g. at fluid dispensing stations such that cars and/or trucks can be driven over at least portions of a buried fluid tank.

The fluid tank may comprise a frame that is configured to enable stacking of intermodal containers on top of the fluid tank during transport and intermediate storage of the fluid tank. The frame may be configured to form a foundation for the fluid tank when buried into ground. The frame may be configured to form a foundation for over-ground structures on top of the fluid tank. The fluid tank may be loadable with beams or otherwise provided with beams. The beams may be configured to form a laterally expanding support for over-ground parts. The beams may be configured to expand foundation support area provided on the ground. The beams may be configured to expand underground foundation area. The underground foundation area may relay force to the ground. The underground foundation area may increase the footprint of the fluid tank when buried in the ground. The expanding support for over-ground parts may increase ground surface area that is founded without necessarily increasing the footprint of the fluid tank when buried in the ground.

The fluid tank may be configured to be loadable through the cargo opening with body parts of a canopy. The canopy may be configured to operate as a rain shelter and / or sun shelter. The fluid tank may be loadable with a roof element of the rain shelter. The roof element may be a corrugated steel plate. The corrugated steel plate may be loadable in a roll through the cargo opening. The rain shelter may be configured to be founded on the frame. The rain shelter may be founded on two vertical supports on the frame at two or more longitudinal parts of the fluid tank. The fluid tank may be a double walled. The fluid tank may be configured to provide a double wall structure for all underground parts that are configured to surround fluid being stored or communicated with the fluid tank. The cargo opening may reside on a top wall of the fluid tank. Alternatively, the cargo opening may reside on a side wall of the fluid tank. Further alternatively, the cargo opening may reside on an end wall of the fluid tank. Further alternatively, the cargo opening may reside on a bottom wall of the fluid tank. The fluid tank may comprise plural cargo openings. The fluid tank may comprise separate cargo openings for at least two sections of the fluid tank and / or a common cargo opening for at least two sections. The sections of the fluid tank may be storage sections. The storage sections may be spaces divided out of a total space of the fluid tank by dividing walls. The sections may be configured to enable storing different fluids separately from each other. The fluid tank may comprise a connection between two sections. The connection between two sections may be repeatedly openable and closable. The connection between two sections may be repeatedly openable and closable by a valve. The connection between two sections may be repeatedly openable and closable by a blockage installable to prevent fluid communication through the connection. The fluid tank may comprise pipelines configured to pass through one or more sections.

By positioning pipelines or connections within the fluid tank their exposure may be reduced to movement of surrounding ground and filling or subsequent excavation of ground around the fluid tank for its burying or unburying in ground.

The fluid tank may be configured for storing liquid. The fluid tank may be configured to store fuel. The fluid tank may be configured for storing one or more chemicals.

The fluid tank may be configured for storing gas. The gas may be hydrogen or the at least 90 % of the pressure of the gas may be formed by hydrogen. The fluid tank may be configured to store gas in one or more gas containers that are loaded to the fluid tank. The gas containers may be gas bottles. The fluid tank may be loaded by the gas container prior to its transport. The gas containers may be loaded by gas. The gas containers may configured to store gas in a high pressure. High pressure may be a pressure greater than any of 10 MPa, 20 MPa, 30 MPa, 40 MPa, 50 MPa, 60 MPa, 70 MPa, 80 MPa, 90 MPa, or 100 MPa (i.e. greater than 200 bars up to greater than 1000 bars). The one or more gas containers may be loaded to the fluid tank in any of a horizontal orientation; vertical orientation; diagonal orientation. One or more gas containers may be loaded in an orientation different than that of some other one or more gas containers. The gas container structure may be adapted for a particular orientation such as a horizontal or vertical orientation. The cover structure may be formed to enable one or more gas containers to extend through a cylindrical top wall of the intermodal fluid tank while closing the interior of the fluid tank such that the gas container can be safely transported and storage within the fluid tank.

The use of the fluid tank as a housing for gas containers may enable the use of a tank container for implementing an underground gas storage for even high-pressure gases.

The fluid tank may comprise a gas connection configured to communicate gas to and from the gas container from outside the fluid tank. The gas connection may be connected to more than one gas container loaded in the fluid tank. The gas connection may be selectively openable and closable to different gas containers loaded in the fluid tank.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an intermodal fluid tank, comprising:

a cargo opening configured to enable loading one or more large pieces that have a greatest dimension greater than 90 % of loadable longitudinal inner dimension of the fluid tank at the cargo opening; and a cover structure detachably attached onto the cargo opening so that the intermodal fluid tank is transportable in an intermodal transport system packed with a cargo comprising a large piece. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a system for fluid dispensing comprising one or more intermodal fluid tanks of the first or second aspect.

Advantageously, the system may enable delivery of a fluid dispensing system to remote and rural areas with little local resources using standard container logistics so that the delivery is protected against environmental threats and theft and so that necessary installation materials would not be lost in transport. Further advantageously, the system may enable self-contained delivery of the fluid dispensing station or at least of the structural parts thereof within only one or two intermodal container compatible units. Advantageously, the system may enable delivery of an operable fluid dispensing system in one or two self-containing ISO container(s) loaded with parts for foundation, fluid storage, dispensing equipment for dispensing fluid to users and/or for receiving fluid into storage, canopy and required support structures.

The system may comprise one or more dispensing units. The dispensing unit may comprise a fluid dispensing pump. The dispensing unit may comprise a dispensing valve to dispense pressurized fluid. The system may comprise three dispensing units. The dispensing units may be founded on the frame in a line that extends over the fluid tank. The line may extend over the fluid tank in the longitudinal direction of the fluid tank. The line may extend beyond one or two ends of the fluid tank.

The piece may comprise a gas container. The gas container may be configured to endure internal pressure that is greater than external pressure. The internal pressure may be 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90 MPa greater than normal atmosphere pressure. The gas container may have a diameter less than 50 % of the diameter of the fluid tank.

The system may comprise all parts of an operable fluid dispensing station. The system may comprise more than 90 %, 95 % or 99 % of all structural parts of an operable fluid dispensing station when measured by weight.

The system may further comprise an electricity source configured to produce electricity for operating the fluid dispensing system. The electricity source may comprise a solar power collector. The electricity source may comprise a wind power collector. The electricity source may comprise a fuel cell.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method for forming the intermodal fluid tank of the first or second aspect, comprising:

cutting a cargo opening to an intermodal tank container; and

attaching the cover structure defined by the first aspect onto the cargo opening.

The method may comprise compartmentalizing the tank container into two or more sections and / or attaching a lid to an access opening defined by the cover structure. The method may comprise further steps to form the fluid tank of the first aspect according to any of its embodiments disclosed in this document.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method for constructing a fluid dispensing station as defined by appended claim 27.

The constructing of the fluid dispensing station may comprise supporting a canopy on the frame structure of the intermodal fluid tank. The constructing of the fluid dispensing station may comprise founding dispensing islands on the frame structure of the intermodal fluid tank. The constructing of the fluid dispensing station may comprise unloading a service chamber structure from the intermodal fluid tank and installing the service chamber to enable service access to inside the intermodal fluid tank when buried under ground.

Different non-binding aspects and embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the foregoing. The embodiments in the foregoing are used merely to explain selected aspects or steps that may be utilized in implementations of the present invention. Some embodiments may be presented only with reference to certain aspects of the invention. It should be appreciated that corresponding embodiments may apply to other aspects as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some example embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows as three-dimensional sectional drawing of an intermodal fluid tank of an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a three-dimensional drawing of an intermodal fluid tank of an embodiment of the invention when placed in an excavation for burying into ground;

Fig. 3 shows a three-dimensional drawing of a system for fluid dispensing of an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 shows three-dimensional drawing of a two-tank system of an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 shows three-dimensional drawing of a two-tank system of an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 shows three-dimensional drawing of a two-tank system of an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7 shows a side view of a two-tank system of an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 8 shows a flow chart of a method of an embodiment of the invention for constructing the intermodal fluid tank of Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 9 shows a flow chart of a method of an embodiment of the invention for constructing the intermodal fluid tank of Fig. 3. DETAILED DESCRI PTION

In the following description, like reference signs denote like elements or steps. Various embodiments will be described merely for illustrating some possibilities for using claimed invention. It should be appreciated that in this document, words comprise, include and contain are each used as open-ended expressions with no intended exclusivity.

Figs. 1 and 2 show as three-dimensional drawings two intermodal fluid tanks 100, 100' or fluid tanks in short. The fluid tank 100 has two cargo openings 1 10, 1 10' configured to enable loading one or more large pieces 120, 120' that have a greatest dimension greater than 90 % of loadable longitudinal inner dimension of the fluid tank at the cargo opening; and cover structures 130, 130' detachably attached onto respective cargo openings 1 10, 1 10' so that the intermodal fluid tanks 100, 100' are transportable in an intermodal transport system when packed with a cargo comprising a large piece such as a structural element 120 or a petrol pump 120'.

In Fig. 1 , the two cargo openings 1 10, 1 10' differ by size and shape and they are aligned at different sections for loading the different sections of the fluid tank 100. Correspondingly, the cover structures 130, 130' are adapted to suit to respective cargo openings 1 10, 1 10'. In Fig. 1 , one of the cover structures 130 is attached onto the underlying cargo opening 1 10 while another cover structure 130' is (e.g. hinged) open to receive or unload cargo in the fluid container 100. Fig. 1 shows that the fluid tank is compartmentalized into two sections 140, 150 that in Fig. 1 are of different sizes. The cargo opening 1 10, 1 10' provides access to one or more sections 140, 150 of the fluid tank. In Fig. 1 , all sections (both sections) have a cargo opening, although this need not be always the case. For example, in Fig. 1 , the smaller section or compartment could be provided solely with a standard access opening and yet used to transport pieces of approximately same length with the section. This is enabled by the geometry of the access opening and the corresponding section. Generally, the loadable inner dimension of the fluid tank at the cargo opening defines the loadable inner dimension of the fluid tank. If the section is very short in the longitudinal direction of the fluid tank, then the loadable inner dimension may be transverse to the longitudinal direction i.e. of the diameter of the fluid tank. It is also possible to load objects diagonally so that the loadable dimension can be greater than the free length or diameter inside the section.

Fig. 1 further shows three partly inserted dispensing units 160 (fuel pumps, for example) in the smaller section 150.

Fig. 1 further illustrates that the cover structure leaves an access opening 180 next to the cargo opening 1 10, 1 10' when the cover structure 130, 130' closes the cargo opening, see the cover structure of the larger section 140 where the cover structure 130 is closed but a round access opening 180 (or its lid, to be more accurate) is still available. The round access opening of Fig. 1 is a standard man hole or access opening through which a human being can enter and exit the section. This access opening 180 is closable by an ordinary tank container lid. In the smaller section of Fig. 1 , the open cover structure 130' and the access opening 180 provided therein are partly visible.

The cover structure 130, 130' can be attached to close the cargo opening with adhesive, for example, and /or with a form locking part and / or any one or more of a screw, wedge, belt or chain. Generally, the cover structure 130, 130' can be detached without generation of sparks, which is particularly useful if the fluid tank has been used for storing inflammables. Water jet cutting and sawing can be used, for example, to detach the cover structure 130, 130' if cutting is required in presence of inflammables. Attachment with adhesive substance may be a safe technique for attaching the cover structure 130, 130' again.

In some cases the fluid tank may be loaded with non-fluid cargo only once, to deliver the fluid tank with various further parts to a desired destination and then unloaded and configured for use for fluid storage and / or dispensing. In such cases, the cargo opening may be opened and closed only once after its transport. Prior to the transport, the cargo opening can then be closed with a simplified attaching technique such as using screws and / or belts and only after unloading with a more permanent and fluid tight manner. In an embodiment, adhesive attaching materials and/or equipment are loaded into the fluid container prior to its transport so that they are available at the destination for (semi)permanent attachment. Once attached in place, the cover structure 130, 130' may remain in place so that usual service access is made using the access opening 180. Then, the cover structure 130, 130' may be detached for relocating the fluid tank, for example, or for replacing large parts contained by the fluid tank (such as sectioning elements or container units possibly contained in the fluid tank). In case of relocating, various parts such as structural parts can be loaded (possibly again) into the fluid tank and then the cover structure 130, 130' can be attached again.

The fluid tank of Fig. 1 is configured to be buried under ground and water tight so as to keep water out of the fluid tank when buried under ground and also protect contained cargo during transport.

In Fig. 1 , the fluid tank has a surrounding frame 170 that allows stacking the fluid tank with intermodal containers for economical transport and storage. The frame 170 doubles as a foundation for the fluid tank and other structures when buried into ground. For example, the frame 170 forms in Figs. 3 to 7 a foundation for over- ground structures on top of the fluid tank. These structures can be formed of beams and plates that can be loaded into the fluid tank for transport. Moreover, some of these structures may be provided along the frame 170. For example, some structures may be temporarily attached to the frame 170 e.g. by using bolts and nuts.

The frame 170 can further form a laterally expanding support for over-ground parts so as to expand foundation support 310 as illustrated by Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, a system 300 for fluid dispensing comprises a canopy 320 and outmost fluid dispensing units 330 such as fuel pumps or gas meters rest on the frame 170 actually outside of the footprint of the fluid tank on the laterally expanding support 310. By expanding the fluid dispensing area, the space on the dispensing islands can be increased to more accommodate two modern family cars simultaneously between adjacent fluid dispensing units 330. The laterally expanding support 310 can be formed of triangular supports. The vertical supports can be formed using an upright end of the surrounding frame 170 as a vertical part and using a lateral member and diagonal member as the other two sides of the triangular support. Alternatively or additionally, contained beams or other structures can be used to expand underground foundation area so as to increase underground foundation area that bears the over-the-ground structures.

The fluid tank of Fig. 1 is loadable through the cargo opening with body parts of a canopy and also with a roof element of the canopy such as a corrugated steel plate. The corrugated steel plate can be loaded as a roll through the cargo opening. The canopy can be founded on the frame 170 with two vertical supports 120 on the frame 170, for example. The vertical supports 120 can reside at two or more longitudinal parts of the fluid tank. For leak and / or corrosion protection, the fluid tank can be a double walled. For example, the fluid tank can be configured to provide a double wall structure for all underground parts that are configured to surround fluid being stored or communicated with the fluid tank. As mentioned, the fluid tank may have plural sections 140, 150 such as spaces divided out of a total space of the fluid tank by dividing walls. The sections enable storing different fluids separately from each other, for example. It is also possible to provide a connection between two sections. Such a connection can be made user adjustably open or closed using a valve or removable blockage.

The fluid tank can be used for a wide variety of purposes such as storing chemicals or fuels. In storing gases, it is possible to use the fuel container similarly to storing liquids except for perhaps dispensing gases may be based on their release from pressured state to a lower-pressure vessel or tank. However, it is next discussed how the fluid tank can be used like a protective cover for one or more hig h-pressure gas containers such as gas bottles inside the fluid tank. As a protective cover the fluid tank may form protection against damage causable by exploding gas containers as well as against natural and man-made risks that may range from wildfire and flooding to attempts of theft and terrorism attacks. The burying of the fluid tank into ground adds further protection.

For example, the fluid tank can be preloaded with gas bottles or other gas containers already prior to the shipment of the fluid tank to its destination (such as an underground storage for a dispensing station). In some cases, the gas containers can be loaded by gas already before loading into the fluid tank or after their loading into the fluid tank but prior to the transport. The gas can be high pressure containers suited for a safe use with a pressure greater than any of 10 MPa, 20 MPa, 30 MPa, 40 MPa, 50 MPa, 60 MPa, 70 MPa, 80 MPa, 90 MPa, or 100 MPa.

Moreover, a gas connection can be provided to communicate gas to and from the gas container from outside the fluid tank. The gas connection can be connected to more than one gas container loaded in the fluid tank. The gas connection may be selectively openable and closable to different gas containers loaded in the fluid tank using suitable branching and valves, for example.

Figs. 3 to 7 show different embodiments of a system for fluid dispensing comprising one or more intermodal fluid tanks of Fig. 1 . Fig. 7 shows an embodiment that has a first fluid tank that comprises two sections for two different types of fluids and a second fluid tank that contains gas containers 710 (shown in dashed line because not really visible outside the fluid tank), a gas dispensing unit 160', a compressor unit and a ventilation pipe. A canopy is supported at two longitudinal parts by vertical supports (typically by a pair of vertical supports at each longitudinal part) on the first fluid container and at a third longitudinal part by a yet further vertical support (or pair of vertical supports). Of course, also three or more vertical supports can be used at each longitudinal part. An advantage of using more than one vertical support at each longitudinal part is that twist and lateral forces can be better absorbed by the supporting of the canopy than with only a singly pole based support. It is also possible to support the canopy on single vertical support.

Fig. 6 illustrates also an extended canopy that is formed of a first canopy section that may be formed of the canopy 320 shown in Figs. 3 to 5 and a second canopy section 320'. In some cases, a fluid distribution system shown in one of the Figs. 4 to 6 may be changed to another fluid distribution system with relatively small changes. As appears from Fig. 7, for example, an entire fluid dispensing station such as a fuel dispensing station can be conveniently transported and erected using parts contained by one or two intermodal containers or fluid tanks that are buried under ground and the frames 170 which double as foundation for on-the-ground structures and parts. This is particularly useful for delivery of a fluid dispensing system to remote and rural areas with little local resources using standard container logistics so that the delivery is protected against environmental threats and theft and so that necessary installation materials would not be lost in transport. As illustrated by Fig. 7, the span d1 between vertical supports may be equal to the span d2 between a vertical supports founded on frames of two different fluid tanks. Moreover, Fig. 7 shows that substantial distances D3 and D4 may be arranged between outmost vertical support and a ventilation pipe 710 and compressor station 720, respectively. With reasonable overhangs, the canopy can be dimensioned to have a length Lc that is far more than d1 +d2. In order to enable easy service access to the buried fluid tank, the fluid tank may be loaded with a service chamber structure on delivery and the service chamber structure can be used to form a service chamber 330 shown in Fig. 3 onto an access opening of the fluid tank. For mains-free operability or increased continuity over some electricity interruptions, the system can be equipped with an electricity source configured to produce electricity for operating the fluid dispensing system, such as a solar power collector, a wind power collector, a fuel cell, aggregator or a battery based uninterrupted power supply device.

A fluid tank (as in Fig. 1 , for example) and the system (as in Fig. 7, for example) are straightforward to produce based on the foregoing description. For example, the cargo opening can be formed by obtaining a new tank container or by washing or otherwise removing any inflammable material from a used tank container and then using normal metal cutting devices to cut the cargo opening to the tank container. For instance, the cutting can be performed by sawing, grinding, laser cutting, flame cutting, plasma cutting, or water jet cutting. Water jet cutting may be usable also in inflammable environment and thus used without removal of inflammables. Water jet cutting can also be used for detaching the cover structure if attached by adhesive, for example.

The compartmentalizing of the fluid tank into sections can be performed by welding, gluing, or using screws and a sealing, for example. The screws should be understood broadly as an application of a slope to include also bolts and nuts or threaded bores.

A fluid dispensing station can be constructed by unloading parts thereof from the fluid container and fixing with bands, chains, belts, rivets, screws, welding, using adhesives and / or using form locking shapes formed into connecting parts.

The fluid dispensing station can be preinstalled to an extent that all electric connections can be made using plugs and connectors the use of which does not require a professional electrician.

Fig. 8 shows a method for forming the fluid tank of the first aspect, comprising: cutting a cargo opening to an intermodal tank container, 810;

attaching the cover structure onto the cargo opening, 820 ;

compartmentalizing the tank container into two or more sections, 830;

loading the intermodal fluid tank through the cargo opening, 840 ; and attaching a lid to an access opening defined by the cover structure, 850;

Fig. 9 shows a method for constructing a fluid dispensing station, comprising:

receiving an intermodal fluid tank loaded with structural parts of the fluid dispensing system and comprising a cargo opening and a detachably attachable cover structure attached onto the cargo opening, 910; mounting the intermodal fluid tank to desired depth into ground for underground installation using a frame structure of the intermodal fluid tank as a foundation, 920;

detaching a cover structure from the cargo opening on the intermodal fluid tank, 930;

constructing the fluid dispensing station using the structural parts loaded into the intermodal fluid tank, 940;

attaching the cover structure onto the cargo opening, 950;

covering the intermodal fluid tank with soil to bury the intermodal fluid tank into ground, 960;

supporting a canopy on the frame structure of the intermodal fluid tank, 970; founding dispensing islands on the frame structure of the intermodal fluid tank, 980; and

unloading a service chamber structure from the intermodal fluid tank and installing the service chamber to enable service access to inside the intermodal fluid tank when buried under ground, 990.

The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples of particular implementations and embodiments of the invention a full and informative description of the best mode presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. It is however clear to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to details of the embodiments presented in the foregoing, but that it can be implemented in other embodiments using equivalent means or in different combinations of embodiments without deviating from the characteristics of the invention.

Furthermore, some of the features of the afore-disclosed embodiments of this invention may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. As such, the foregoing description shall be considered as merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention, and not in limitation thereof. Hence, the scope of the invention is only restricted by the appended patent claims.