US 6,578,408 B1 · Testing fluid-containing systems

Abstract

A testing procedure is disclosed for testing a road tanker, and other transportable storage tanks, for fluid-tightness. A positive test pressure is first applied to one storage compartment of the road tanker, and simultaneously a negative pressure is applied to the outlet pipe of the storage compartment, and a different negative pressure is applied to the vapour recovery manifold. The subsequent pressure variations within the storage compartment, the outlet pipe, the vapour recovery manifold and the adjacent storage compartments are then monitored in order to determine whether the interconnecting valves are leaking, and whether the various compartments under test are fluid-tight. In a second stage of the testing procedure, the pressure within the storage compartment is raised in order to test the pressure release level of a pressure release valve in the storage compartment, and the pressure within the storage compartment is then reduced in order to test the vacuum pressure release level of the pressure release valve. Similar testing procedures are applied to each of the storage compartments in turn.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method of testing a transportable storage tank, said tank comprising a foot valve located between a liquid storage compartment and an outlet pipe, said method comprising closing said foot valve, disposing said storage compartment at a first gas pressure, which is positive in relation to atmospheric pressure, disposing said outlet pipe at a second gas pressure, which is negative in relation to atmospheric pressure, and monitoring the pressure within said storage compartment or said outlet pipe in order to determine whether said foot valve is subject to leakage;

said tank further comprising a vapor recovery conduit separated from said liquid storage compartment by a further valve, said method further comprising:
fluidly sealing said further valve;
disposing said vapor recovery conduit at a third gas pressure, different to a gas pressure in said liquid storage compartment;
and
monitoring pressure within said vapor recovery conduit or said liquid storage compartment in order to determine whether said further valve is subject to leakage.

2 more elements

A method of testing a cargo tank of a road haulage vehicle for fluid tightness, said cargo tank including a foot valve located between a liquid storage compartment and an outlet pipe having an outer end, and a second valve located at the outer end of said outlet pipe, said second valve having an outlet for dispensing fluid, said method comprising:

closing the foot valve;
connecting a first test cap to the outlet of said second valve in fluid-tight relation whereby said first test cap maintains said second valve open;
increasing pressure in the liquid storage compartment to a first gas pressure which is positive in relation to atmospheric pressure;
decreasing pressure in the outlet pipe to a second gas pressure which is negative in relation to atmospheric pressure by applying a vacuum thereto through said first test cap;
and
monitoring the pressure within said storage compartment or said outlet pipe in order to determine whether said foot valve is subject to leakage.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Testing fluid-containing systems

Life of this patent

Testing fluid-containing systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10