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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Underground tank leak detection methods

Book ·
OSTI ID:6048974

This review details available and developing methods for detecting leaks in underground storage tanks. Thirty-six volumetric, non-volumetric, inventory monitoring, and leak effects monitoring detection methods are described for underground tanks used primarily for liquid hydrocarbons and products. The book provides general engineering comments on the methods and discusses variables which may affect their accuracy. In recent years, the increase in leaks from underground fuel storage tanks has had a significant adverse impact on the United States. Current estimates are that there are from 1.5 to 3.5 million of these storage tanks in the U.S. As many as 100,000 may have some leakage already, and it is anticipated that up to 350,000 may develop leaks within the next five years. Corrosion is one of the primary causes of leakage. Product loss from leaking tanks may adversely affect environment endanger lives, reduce income, and require expensive cleanup procedures. To prevent reduce, or avoid such problems, accurate methods must be used to determine whether or not an underground tank is leaking. This book identifies existing and developing techniques for leak detection. In so, doing, each method, its capabilities, its claimed precision and accuracy, are reviewed.

OSTI ID:
6048974
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English