Leakage detection
OwnerCarl Denbyinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of testing the leakage rates from tanks for containing volatile liquids such as petrol or diesel, with a view to determining whether the tank leaks excessively. The tank is at least partially filled during testing in order to save time. The leakage is detected by sealing the tank and measuring the drop in pressure in the tank over a period of time. In order to measure the rate of leakage, a first measurement is taken during which an amount of 380 ml is removed from the tank over a short period whilst otherwise sealed, with the resultant pressure drop being measured as a calibrated value. The tank is then re-sealed and the pressure drop over the period of an hour is compared with the calibrated value.
Claims20
A method for the testing for fluid leakage from a storage tank normally containing a liquid pollutant, the test comprising the steps of fluidly sealing the tank, fluidly connecting a pressure sensitive means to the interior of the tank, and monitoring the pressure sensed over a period of time, the monitoring being carried out whilst the tank is partially filled with its normal liquid contents and also partially filled with a gas, the tank comprising two gas-filled compartments located above and fluidly interconnected by the liquid contents, and wherein the test comprises one of admitting gas directly to, and extracting gas directly from, each of said compartments.
A method for the testing for fluid leakage from a storage tank normally containing a liquid pollutant and having a fill pipe and a vent, the test comprising the steps of fluidly sealing the tank, fluidly connecting a pressure sensitive means to the interior of the tank, and monitoring the pressure sensed over a period of time, the monitoring being carried out whilst the tank is partially filled with its normal liquid contents leaving a head space which is filled with a gas, and wherein the test further comprises balancing the pressure in the head space and a space above the liquid contents within the fill pipe during a pressure change in the tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.