System and method for detecting liquid leakage in storage tanks
This patent describes a method for detecting liquid leakage in underground storage tanks comprising the steps of: (a) providing first, second and third vertically-disposed tubular members with the lower ends of the first and second tubular members connected by a fourth tubular member; (b) submerging the lower ends of the first, second and third vertical-disposed tubular members in liquid in a storage tank and venting the upper ends of the first, second and third tubular members to the atmosphere within the tank so that the liquid level within the tubular members equals the liquid level within the tank; (c) blocking flow through the lower end of the fourth tubular member; (d) then closing the submerged end of the second tubular member while leaving the lower end of the third tubular member open to allow liquid to flow in and out of that open end and closing the upper ends of the second and third tubular members to prevent gas-flow communication between the interiors of the second and third tubular members and the atmosphere in the tank; (e) sensing differentials in gas pressure between the interiors of the second and third tubular members with a differential pressure transducer and, thereby, indicating changes in the liquid level in the tank due to leakage.
- Assignee:
- Environment and Safety, Inc., Santa Clara, CA
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4791814
- OSTI ID:
- 6383605
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
024000* -- Petroleum-- Storage-- (-1989)
510200 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CONTAINERS
CONTROL
DESIGN
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
LAND POLLUTION CONTROL
LEAK DETECTORS
LEAK TESTING
LEAKS
LEVELS
PETROLEUM
POLLUTION CONTROL
STORAGE
TANKS
TESTING