Method of testing aboveground fuel systems
AssigneeU-Fuel, Inc.
InventorR. Michael Webb
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of testing an aboveground-type fuel storage tank includes steps of positioning at a test location an aboveground-type fuel storage tank that has been configured as it is intended to be in commercial use and at least partially filling the aboveground-type fuel storage tank with a fuel that is intended to be stored in the storage tank during commercial use. The exterior of the aboveground-type fuel storage tank is then subjected to a petroleum-fed fire for a period of time that is preferably at least one hour at a temperature of about 2000 degrees F. The integrity of the aboveground-type fuel storage tank is then checked to determine the effect of the fire on the aboveground-type fuel storage tank.
Claims19
A method of testing an aboveground-type fuel storage tank, comprising steps of:
- (a) positioning at a test location an aboveground-type fuel storage tank that has been configured as it is intended to be in commercial use;
- (b) at least partially filling the aboveground-type fuel storage tank with a fuel that is intended to be stored in the storage tank during commercial use;
- (c) subjecting the exterior of the aboveground-type fuel storage tank to a petroleum-fed fire for a period of time that is at least fifteen minutes;
- and
- (d) checking the integrity of the aboveground-type fuel storage tank to determine the effect of the fire on the aboveground-type fuel storage tank.
A method of monitoring an aboveground type fuel storage tank while testing the tank for its fire resistance characteristics, comprising:
- (a) determining the integrity of the tank;
- (b) at least partially filling the tank with a fuel;
- and
- (c) subjecting the exterior of the tank to heat that simulates a real-world petroleum fire, and wherein step (c) is performed without causing the fuel in the tank to explode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.