Technical field

The invention relates to a relocatable fluid pumping station with a base container consisting of a support frame with an outer shell, where in the inner space of the base container the storage section with hydraulic distribution system and a technological section with electro-installation and control system is arranged, wherein at least storage section is provided with an inner shell.

State of the art

At the conventional stationary pumping stations for pumping fluids, especially fuels, there are expensive construction costs for the service building and underground tanks, including the necessary safeguard against possible fuel leakage, contamination of the surrounding soil and environmental pollution. At these stations, service staff is necessary, at least at the cash desk.

Often, pumping stations are open 24 hours a day. Additional staff are then needed to operate the station in a working shift system. In case the station is taken out of service, either for repairs of the station itself or for road repairs, which may be unexpectedly prolonged, and the nearest station is a distance away, the fuel supply at that location is significantly worsened. Both in these cases and when a new station is needed quickly and the time required for the construction of a conventional station would cause great delay, the appropriate solution is to establish a completely overground station which can be operated for only limited period, or if required on a temporary basis. Such stations are preferably built as service-free stations, where customers not only pump the required quantity themselves, but then pay in a cashless manner using cards of different types, depending on the adjusted system of the apparatus.

Temporary or relocatable pumping stations are already known and there are a number of different solutions of the above problem situations. For example, from document W0200220393, the arrangement of service-free pumping station equipped with a dispensing stand with a dispensing gun, a control unit and a service unit with a credit card handling device and a data transmission device to a central office is known. So, It is possible not only to carry out payment orders, but also to monitor the state of stocks in the station and to ensure timely fuel recharge, to react to the conditions of the station, e.g. in the case of an attempt of an unauthorised access etc. Certain mechanical problems, in particular increased frame rigidity for transport and the positioning of the individual units, are solved by a pumping station built-in into the container which is described for example in W02003000584 and W02006066515.

Problems of possible mechanical defects in the structure, especially in the storage section, are solved by the design described in EP 2969909. However, except of mechanical defects, accidental but dangerous situations can occur, such as a vehicle crash into the station or fuel ignition, caused by any reason. Subsequent explosion would blow the station apart and cause considerable material damage, undoubtedly accompanied by a loss of human life. The existing constructions do not solve such situation.

The aim of the present invention is to limit the potential damage caused by the ignition of the fuel and the subsequent explosion of the station.

Summary of the invention

The above aim is achieved by a fluid pumping station with a base container consisting of a support frame with an outer shell, where in the inner space of the base container the storage section with hydraulic distribution system and a technological section with electro-installation and control system is arranged, wherein at least storage section is provided with an inner shell according to invention, the substance of which is, that the inner shell is provided in its upper part along the support frame with at least one weakening depression. Furthermore, according to the invention, the weakening depression is carried out both on the upper part of the inner shell and on the upper part of the outer shell. Also according to the present invention, the weakening depression is carried out both above the storage section and above the technological section of the station. In case the station is provided with a built-in tank, the weakening depression is also provided on the upper surface of this built-in tank.

In a preferred embodiment, the weakening depression is provided in at least one continuous line, alternatively the weakening depression may be provided, at least partially, in a intermittent line. The advantage of this design of the containerised system of the pump station is, that the power of any explosion is directed upwards so that it does not act laterally. This significantly reduces the damage that could occur in the immediate vicinity of the pumping station of this type due to an explosion of the stored fluid.

Brief description of drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail by means of an embodiment example shown in the accompanying drawing, which illustrates the basic structural design of the subject relocatable pumping station, provided as a container, with partially exposed shell.

Detailed description of the invention

As can be seen from the drawing, the relocatable fluid pumping station comprises a base container, storage section 3 with a hydraulic distribution system, in which the fluid to be dispensed is stored, and a technological section 4 equipped with electro-installation and a control system. Technological section 4 of the base container also contains a pumping section with a pumping throat and necessary hydraulic distribution system and a dispensing section with means for dispensing fluids, in particular certified dispensing stands.

As can be further seen from the drawing, the container of the station consists of a support frame and of an outer shell 10. The frame consists of pillars 11 mutually connected to each other by longitudinal beams 12 and transverse beams 13. The longitudinal beams 12 are reinforced with vertical reinforcements 14 having a T- shaped cross-section. The outer shell 10, covering each wall defined by the support frame, is welded to the frame in an airtight manner. The reinforcements 14 may or may be not of solid material. They may be provided with through holes, but these holes are not shown in the drawing. The internal space of the container is divided into technological section 4 and storage section 3 by intermediate wall 16. The dividing intermediate wall 16 is provided with technological openings for hydraulic and electrical connection of both sections 3, 4. The technical equipment of both sections 3, 4 is well known and therefore is not illustrated or described in detail here.

The entire storage section 3 is provided with an inner shell, not shown here, which defines closed perimeter spaces in relation to the outer shell 10 and the intermediate wall 16. The separation between the two shells is ensured by vertical reinforcements 14. The pressure in the perimeter spaces is artificially reduced to a value below atmospheric pressure. The pressure in the perimeter spaces is monitored by sensors. The sensors may or may be not located in each of these sections. The outputs of all sensors are led to the control electronics. The types of sensors used and their wiring are well known and are therefore not part of this technical solution and for simplicity sake these sensors are not illustrated in the drawing.

Although the application of the inner shell is described for storage section 3, it can be similarly applied for technological section 4. Then, it can be a part of the protection against violent entry into this section. The inner shell in both sections 3,4 allows to omit the intermediate wall 16.

The double shell allows the interior of storage section 3 to be used directly as a tank. However, it is also conceivable to use a built-in tank, but then the intermediate wall 16 is not necessary. Alternatively, the storage section 3 may be divided into two or more sub-tanks by means of the separating wall 15, which may thus contain different fluids. In this case, the technological section 4 is designed and equipped accordingly.

According to the invention, both the not shown inner shell and the outer shell 10 are provided on their roof part, i.e. upper part, with a weakening of the material in the form of a depression 17 running in a continuous line along the support frame. As can be seen from the drawing, the depression 17 is only provided over the storage section 3, but similarly this weakening depression 17 may also be provided over the service section 4. Alternatively, the depression 17 may be provided in intermittent line. It is also possible to have multiple parallel lines. The depressions 17 represent a weakening of the material which, although it does not affect the overall stiffness of the station container, but in case of a significant pressure increase within the relevant section, e.g. in the case of the aforementioned explosion of the tank's content, the weakened material of the upper wall of the shell will be loosen as first. The power of the explosion will thus be directed upwards, the pressure on the side walls will be considerably lower and the side walls will thus prevent the destructive force from spreading sideways and endangering the proximate surroundings of the station. The desired effect, directing the power of any possible explosion of the tank's content is largely achieved due to the design of the depressions 17 on the inner shell only, but it is clear that the design of the depressions 17 on the upper surface of both the inner shell and the outer shell 10 are more effective.

If the pumping station is provided with one or more built-in tanks, the depressions 17 are provided on the upper surface of all built-in tanks.

Industrial applicability

The presented relocatable pump station is designed for pumping fluids at permanent or temporary sites. However, it can be used for pumping and dispensing any type of fluids.