EP0220730B1 - Subterranean tank leak containment and detection system - Google Patents

Subterranean tank leak containment and detection system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0220730B1
EP0220730B1 EP86115040A EP86115040A EP0220730B1 EP 0220730 B1 EP0220730 B1 EP 0220730B1 EP 86115040 A EP86115040 A EP 86115040A EP 86115040 A EP86115040 A EP 86115040A EP 0220730 B1 EP0220730 B1 EP 0220730B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tank
body sheet
enclosure
leakage
leak
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP86115040A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0220730A3 (en
EP0220730A2 (en
Inventor
Nicholas E. Butts
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GROUPE TRECO LTEE
Original Assignee
Groupe Treco Ltee
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US06/792,737 external-priority patent/US4672366A/en
Application filed by Groupe Treco Ltee filed Critical Groupe Treco Ltee
Publication of EP0220730A2 publication Critical patent/EP0220730A2/en
Publication of EP0220730A3 publication Critical patent/EP0220730A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0220730B1 publication Critical patent/EP0220730B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
    • B65D90/48—Arrangements of indicating or measuring devices
    • B65D90/50—Arrangements of indicating or measuring devices of leakage-indicating devices
    • B65D90/501—Arrangements of indicating or measuring devices of leakage-indicating devices comprising hollow spaces within walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
    • B65D90/48—Arrangements of indicating or measuring devices
    • B65D90/50—Arrangements of indicating or measuring devices of leakage-indicating devices
    • B65D90/51—Arrangements of indicating or measuring devices of leakage-indicating devices characterised by sensors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a secondary containment system for an underground storage tank.
  • a secondary containment system for an underground storage tank is known from the EP-A-57 973.
  • the present invention thus relates to the field of leak containment and detection, and is concerned with improvements in containment and detection of leaks from underground storage tanks, for example, tanks used for storage of gasoline or other petrochemicals.
  • a method of containing and detecting leakage from a subterranean tank containing a petroleum product such as gasoline or heating oil comprises the steps of providing adjacent the tank an electrical leak detecting cable of the type that has an insulator that is subject to degradation by the petroleum product, enclosing the cable and tank together in an enclosure impervious to the product, sealing the enclosure to prevent the ingress of the product due to accidental spillage or from other sources of the product, and connecting the cable to an electrical sensor whereby leakage from the tank into the sealed enclosure is detected by the cable and electrical sensor.
  • Leakage may occur from underground storage tanks from a number of causes. Since most tanks are steel, internal and external corrosion resulting in perforation of the tank is probably the primary causes of leakage. Internal corrosion results from the presence of water or acids in the stored products. External corrosion is due to groundwater and other soil-borne corrosives. Leaks may also be caused by cracks or by punctures due to sharp stones, pressing on the tank wall. In extremely dry, porous soils punctures might occur in such a way as to prevent leakage from the tank reaching the leak detector. In order to prevent this, and to ensure that any leak from the tank reaches the leak sensor in a minimum time, the present invention provides two additional important features.
  • a drainage mesh is warpped around the tank, inside the enclosures, and secondly, an absorbent geotextile is placed along the bottom of the tank. This latter material collects and holds leaking products so that it cannot escape to the environment without being detected.
  • An acceptable form of drainage mesh is sold by Tensar Corporation, Marrow Georgia, as TENSAR drainage net.
  • a suitable geotextile absorber is sold by American Engineering Fabrics Inc. 1 Coffin Avenue, New Bedford, Massachusetts, 02746 U.S.A.
  • the leak sensor is positioned in a perforated duct inside the enclosure adjacent the tank so that leakage from the tank will penetrate the duct, and be detected by the leak sensor.
  • the perforated duct thus can be used to gain access to the leak detection cable.
  • both ends of the cable may extend outside the enclosure (in suitable protective sleeves), one end being connected to a suitable monitor, for example the Total Containment Inc. model M105B, the other end being terminated by a fixed resistance.
  • a suitable monitor for example the Total Containment Inc. model M105B
  • the cable may be replaced after destruction by leakage by using the destroyed cable to pull a new cable through the duct, after the source of leakage has been pinpointed and the leaking container repaired and resealed.
  • the enclosure may be cleansed using a flushing technique with detergents, to rehabilitate the interior of the enclosure, thus avoiding the necessity of excavation.
  • the secondary containment system is characterized in that the enclosure consists of a body sheet being formed of a linear high density polyethylene and being completely wrapped arount and welded to itself on said tank to form a sleeve thereabout and of end caps being formed of linear high density polyethylene in a shape to cover the ends of the tank and extend over be welded to said body sheet wherein at least one end cap being provided with an opening to admit said leak sensor, a drainage mesh being located between said body sheet and said tank to provide drainage channels for leakage from said tank to flow to the bottom of said body sheet and a geotextile being placed along the bottom of said tank between said tank and said body sheet to absorb and hold petroleum leaked from said storage tank for detecting by said leak sensor.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an enclosure for use with a bare steel tank, particularly useful for example in the service station environment.
  • the tank 30 is enclosed in a linear HDPE enclosure consisting of a pair of molded end caps 31 and a body sheet 32.
  • the end of the cylindrical tank 33 is spaced from the inner end of the end cap 31, to provide a space for the applicant's preferred one inch perforated duct containing the leak detection cable 34.
  • the leak detection cable and duct 34 extend to the bottom edge of the tank to provide the earliest possible sensing of any leakage which may occur from within the tank.
  • the duct 34 is connected to a test point at the surface 35 by an impervious HDPE chimney fitting 36 welded to the end cap 31.
  • the fill pipe 37 and vent pipe 38 are both encased in HDPE chimney fittings similarly welded to the body sheet 32.
  • the piping to pumps 39 may be similarly protected with an appropriate chimney fitting of HDPE, and in addition in accordance with a further feature of the invention may be provided with leak detection cable for sensing leaks in the piping to the pumps which leak detection cable may be connected via a further impervious HDPE pipe 40 to the test point 35.
  • the detail of the interconnection of the piping to pumps 39 and the pipe 40 is illustrated in Figure 4.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a detail of the junction between the end cap 31 and the body sheet 32 at the point A-A of Figure 1.
  • the end cap 31 overlaps the body sheet 32 and is welded thereto with an HDPE weld at 41.
  • the perforated duct 34 containing the sensor cable 42 passes along the bottom edge of the end cap 31 such that any leakage from the tank 30 will contact the sensor cable 42 at the earliest opportunity, to give indication of such a leak.
  • FIG 3 illustrates the assembly of the enclosure to a typcial gasoline storage tank.
  • Such tank 30 is equipped with lifting lugs 43 for lifting and positioning the tank.
  • the body sheet 32 is positioned in the excavation in which the tank 30 is to be installed, the tank is placed on the body sheet 32, and the ends of the sheet are then wrapped around the tank, appropriate slits 44 being provided to accommodate the lifting lugs 43.
  • the body sheet 32 is then welded to itself with the tank inside the sheet.
  • the end caps 31 containing the perforated duct 34 and leak detection cable 42 are mounted on the ends of the tank, and the end caps 31 are welded to the body sheet using known high density polyethylene welding techniques. Patches are welded over the lifting lugs. With the tank entirely sealed in the high density polyethylene container all leakage from the tank is completely prevented.
  • a preferable material for use as the body sheet and end caps is linear high density polyethylene the thickness of the sheet material is at least 0.100 inch.
  • the enclosure components may be prefabricated to the tank dimensions and shipped to the tank manufacturer where the components are permanently attached to the tank to protect the tank during transportation. On site the tank may be pressure tested according to local requirements. If the enclosure is to be applied on site, the body sheet and end caps can be shipped as a kit and welded to the tank. The leak detection cable is fitted into the end fittings, and the entire enclosure is welded together on the tank prior to burial. The piping to the pumps, filler pipes and vent pipes can also be fitted with separate leak detection systems. Special chimney fittings are designed to fit over the tank piping and are clamped to the pipes with the bases welded to the enclosure so as to prevent liquids from entering the enclosure at these locations. All wiring connections are done after backfilling so as to allow the tanks and piping systems to be monitored by a single monitor.
  • FIG 4 illustrates a detail of Figure 1 in which a tank 30 sealed within a body sheet 32 is provided with a chimney fitting 45 also welded to the body sheet 32 through which piping to the fuel dispensing pumps is passed.
  • the chimney fitting 45 is clamped to the pipe 46 by a clamp 47, and a further HDPE sleeve 48 is fitted over the piping 46 and the chimney 45, and is clamped by a screw clamp 49 about the piping 46.
  • a further leak detection cable 50 contained within a non-perforated duct 40 is looped around the piping 46 just above the clamp 49, to provide a mechanism for detecting leaks in the piping 46 which might otherwise go undetected, or which, if clamps 47 and 49 were not provided on the piping 46, leak back into the enclosure to give an erroneous detection of a leak in the tank per se .
  • FIG. 5 illustrates the application of cathodic protection to a tank positioned in an enclosure.
  • the tank 30 is provided with a standard cathodic protection cable 62 welded at 61 to the tank 30.
  • the other end of cable 62 is attached to a bag of chemicals 64.
  • the cable 62 is fed through the HDPE pipe 36 together with the leak detection cable 34.
  • the chemical bag 64 is buried in the ground and acts as a sacrificial anode in the usual way.
  • this system specifically lends itself to replacement of the sensor cable without any excavation, and the system can be filled with water, causing the petroleum-product to float out through the test point.
  • the water may be pumped out from the system, and a new cable installed and the system reactivated. This technique is particularly attractive in the case of large tanks, which are frequently repaired from the inside for example by re-welding previously cracked welds, or welding plates over leak locations.
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a preferred form of secondary containment system of the present invention.
  • a cylindrical tank 30, preferably without lifting lugs, is wrapped in a body sheet 32 of HDPE the sheet 32 is rectangular when flat and is of sufficient width and length to completely cover the tank except for the ends. As before the sheet 32 is wrapped around the tank and welded in place.
  • Between the tank 30 and the body sheet 32 are a geotextile absorber 120 and a drainage mesh 121.
  • the mesh 121 provides channels for the flow of leakage from the tank 30 to the absorber 120 which ensures that any leakage is retained in the vicinity of the leak sensor located in one of the end caps 122.
  • the end caps 122 and 123 are welded to the body sheet to complete the secondary containment system.
  • the interior surface of the body sheet could be suitably ribbed to provide the required flow channels.
  • the tank should be installed with the end containing the leak sensor lower than the other end, to assist in early detection of leakage.
  • One of the end caps 122 is provided with a perforated tube or well in which the leak sensor may be located.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)
  • Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
  • Underground Structures, Protecting, Testing And Restoring Foundations (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
EP86115040A 1985-10-29 1986-10-29 Subterranean tank leak containment and detection system Expired - Lifetime EP0220730B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US792737 1985-10-29
US06/792,737 US4672366A (en) 1981-01-09 1985-10-29 Subterranean tank leak containment and detection system

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0220730A2 EP0220730A2 (en) 1987-05-06
EP0220730A3 EP0220730A3 (en) 1989-04-05
EP0220730B1 true EP0220730B1 (en) 1992-08-12

Family

ID=25157905

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP86115040A Expired - Lifetime EP0220730B1 (en) 1985-10-29 1986-10-29 Subterranean tank leak containment and detection system

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0220730B1 (pl)
JP (1) JPS62182091A (pl)
CA (1) CA1316579C (pl)
DE (1) DE3686389T2 (pl)
NO (1) NO172819C (pl)
PL (1) PL161650B1 (pl)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3620976C2 (de) * 1986-06-23 1996-07-04 Gewerk Keramchemie Chemisch beständiger, flüssigkeitsdichter Belag für Auffangräume, Behälter oder dergleichen aus Beton
DE3716426C1 (de) * 1987-05-15 1988-10-20 Lohr Karl W R Dipl Ing Druckbehaelter fuer Druckgase mit einer Einrichtung zur Pruefung,Lagerung und Wartung von Druckgasen wie Ammoniak,Propan und dergleichen
JPH0615918Y2 (ja) * 1988-02-19 1994-04-27 トキコ株式会社 配管漏洩検知機能付給油システム
US5155356A (en) * 1991-11-29 1992-10-13 Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc. Apparatus and method for detecting subterranean leakage from a large storage vessel
CN101367466B (zh) * 2008-08-15 2011-11-23 李束为 储存运输油品装置
CN113775940B (zh) * 2021-08-04 2022-08-30 江苏鑫赛德智慧建设有限公司 一种城市地下消防管道渗漏定位系统及其施工方法

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH575326A5 (en) * 1973-03-08 1976-05-14 Mannesmann Ag Double skinned heating oil tank with leak indicator - has detector in base of perforated annular profiled section between skins
US3995472A (en) * 1975-06-26 1976-12-07 Murgor Electric Company, Inc. Detector system
CA1120131A (en) * 1981-01-09 1982-03-16 Nicholas E. Butts Subterranean tank leak detection system and method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
PL262106A1 (en) 1987-08-24
EP0220730A3 (en) 1989-04-05
NO172819B (no) 1993-06-01
DE3686389T2 (de) 1993-01-14
NO864327D0 (no) 1986-10-29
NO864327L (no) 1987-04-30
NO172819C (no) 1993-09-08
EP0220730A2 (en) 1987-05-06
JPS62182091A (ja) 1987-08-10
CA1316579C (en) 1993-04-20
DE3686389D1 (de) 1992-09-17
PL161650B1 (pl) 1993-07-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4672366A (en) Subterranean tank leak containment and detection system
US4685327A (en) Total containment storage tank system
US6029505A (en) Connecting device for pipe assemblies
US4110947A (en) Storage tank installation
US4922232A (en) Leakage containment and detection systems
US4653312A (en) Storage tanks having formed rigid jacket for secondary containment
US5865216A (en) System for housing secondarily contained flexible piping
AU647643B1 (en) Two-wall leakage detection system for a pipe
US4708015A (en) Storage tanks with secondary containment means and non-visual leak detection means
US4912966A (en) Total containment means for storage tank systems
US4696186A (en) Storage tanks having secondary containment means
US4607522A (en) Storage tanks having secondary containment means
US4871084A (en) Tank secondary containment system
CA2047354A1 (en) Flexible entry seal arrangement
US5269173A (en) Flat bottomed tanks and process to detect leakages
US5345813A (en) Pressure testable flexible piping penetration
EP0220730B1 (en) Subterranean tank leak containment and detection system
US5656766A (en) Underground drain tank
WO2014131092A1 (en) A pipeline leak detection system
US4973946A (en) Underground liquid storage tank leak containment, detection and alarm system
US5134878A (en) Fill line spill containment system
US5052216A (en) Containment means for storage tank systems
CA1257096A (en) Storage tanks having formed jacket for secondary containment
US20130087570A1 (en) Method for providing and testing storage containment
US5052217A (en) Containment system for fill line of underground storage tank

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB IT LU NL

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB IT LU NL

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19890810

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19900418

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: PLACEMENTS CMI INC.

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: GROUPE TRECO LTEE

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB IT LU NL

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed
REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3686389

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19920917

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
ITTA It: last paid annual fee
EPTA Lu: last paid annual fee
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: 732E

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: TP

NLS Nl: assignments of ep-patents

Owner name: TOTAL CONTAINMENT, INC. TE OAKS, PENNSYLVANIE, VER

ITPR It: changes in ownership of a european patent

Owner name: CESSIONE;TOTAL CONTAINMENT INC.

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 19961031

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 19970911

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Payment date: 19971003

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 19971007

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 19971015

Year of fee payment: 12

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 19971031

Year of fee payment: 12

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19980701

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19981029

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19981029

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19981031

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: TOTAL CONTAINMENT INC.

Effective date: 19981031

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19990501

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19981029

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 19990630

NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 19990501

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20051029