TBS Prototype Test Program in service tank bottom leak detection and repair system. [Tank Bottom System]

Technical Report · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:6246542

Lewis, D E

The invention is a process for detecting, locating and repairing leaks in the bottom of large storage tanks, particularly those used for storage of petroleum products. The process uses under-tank conduits as a means of testing, by vacuum and pressure measurements, to detect leaks in a tank bottom while the tank is in service. The process can also use the same conduits to inject epoxy resins under pressure to seal leaks while the tank remains in service. A prototype above ground storage tank leak test system has been built and tested. It has successfully detected leaks as small as 0.020 inch in diameter and located them by computer readout as accurately as can be measured in the tank with a measuring tape. The new method studied in this test located leaks as small as 0.020 inch in two minutes in spite of noisy conditions around the test tank area. This non-intrusive leak detection method can be constructed on tanks without taking the tank out of service. The cost of equipment installation and testing is less than one fifth the cost of installation of a second bottom. Follow up testing costs will be in the range of several thousand dollars. If second bottoms are installed the system can be used to detect leaks in the primary as well as the secondary bottom. 5 refs.

• Research Organization: Lewis Engineering and Project Management, Inc., Corpus Christi, TX (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: FG01-89CE15397
• OSTI ID: 6246542
• Report Number(s): DOE/CE/15397-T8; ON: DE91008974
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020600* -- Petroleum-- Health & Safety
022000 -- Petroleum-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
ACCURACY
ACOUSTIC EMISSION TESTING
ACOUSTIC TESTING
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONTAINERS
COST
DESIGN
DOCUMENT TYPES
FLUID INJECTION
FLUID MECHANICS
IN-SERVICE INSPECTION
INSPECTION
INSTALLATION
LEAK DETECTORS
LEAK TESTING
MAINTENANCE FACILITIES
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICS
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
OPENINGS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PNEUMATICS
POLYMERS
PRESSURE MEASUREMENT
PRESSURIZATION
PROGRESS REPORT
REPAIR
RESINS
SEALS
SIZE
STORAGE
STORAGE FACILITIES
TANKS
TESTING
TIME DEPENDENCE
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
VACUUM SYSTEMS