Overflow valve prevention system

A method of controlling overflow in a below-ground transfer pump sump used in the dispensing of liquid fuels, the method comprising:

• providing a sump having a sump bottom below a level of ground immediately adjacent the sump;
• providing a storage tank having an internal cavity for the storage of liquid fuel and at least one transfer pump within the storage tank, the storage tank having a conduit in communication with the sump;
• providing a riser assembly extending from the storage tank to the sump;
• providing a valve having an inlet disposed within the sump and an outlet communicating with the riser assembly;
• permitting water from the ground adjacent the sump to enter the sump;
• detecting the level of liquid in the sump including any water;
• and
• if the liquid reaches a predetermined level, allowing the liquid to pass through the valve, into the riser assembly and into the storage tank containing the liquid fuel.

An overflow prevention system in a below-ground transfer pump sump used to dispense liquid fuels, the system comprising:

• a sump having a sump bottom below a level of ground immediately adjacent the sump;
• a storage tank having an internal cavity for the storage of liquid fuel and at least one transfer pump within the storage tank, the storage tank having a conduit in communication with the sump;
• a riser assembly extending from the storage tank to the sump;
• and
• a valve having an inlet disposed within the sump and an outlet communicating with the riser assembly;
• wherein water from the ground adjacent the sump is allowed to pass into the sump combining with any fuel in the sump;
• and
• when the water and fuel liquids reach a predetermined level in the sump, the liquids are allowed to pass through the valve, into the riser assembly and into the storage tank containing the liquid fuel.

An apparatus for controlling overflow in a below-ground transfer pump sump used in the dispensing of liquid fuels, the apparatus comprising:

• an overflow assembly sealingly attachable with a riser assembly disposed within a sump having a sump bottom below a level of ground immediately adjacent the sump, the riser assembly extending from the sump to a storage tank below the sump, the storage tank having an internal cavity for the storage of liquid fuel, the overflow assembly comprising:
• a valve body having opposing ends, the valve body disposed within the sump, the valve body having a flow control which allows fluids to pass through the valve body when the valve body is in an open position;
• a valve inlet disposed on one end of the valve body and positioned within the sump;
• a valve outlet disposed on the opposite end of the valve body, the valve outlet in communication with the riser assembly within the sump, the riser assembly comprising a vertical cylindrical pipe extending from the sump to the cavity of the storage tank, the riser assembly including an opening on the cylindrical pipe;
• a seal disposed between the valve outlet and riser assembly opening;
• an adjustable clamp engageable with the valve outlet and the riser assembly wherein the valve outlet is sealed against the riser assembly opening;
• wherein water from the ground adjacent the sump entering the sump mixes with any liquid fuel in the sump and if the liquid fuel and water mixture in the sump reaches a predetermined level, the liquid mixture to passes through the overflow assembly, into the conduit and into the storage tank containing the liquid fuel.