CA2575772A1 - Method and apparatus for storage tank leak detection - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for storage tank leak detection Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2575772A1 CA2575772A1 CA002575772A CA2575772A CA2575772A1 CA 2575772 A1 CA2575772 A1 CA 2575772A1 CA 002575772 A CA002575772 A CA 002575772A CA 2575772 A CA2575772 A CA 2575772A CA 2575772 A1 CA2575772 A1 CA 2575772A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- pressure
- tank
- storage tank
- data
- tank bottom
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract 4
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 title abstract 5
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims 11
- 238000009530 blood pressure measurement Methods 0.000 claims 10
- 238000004364 calculation method Methods 0.000 claims 9
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 claims 8
- 238000009529 body temperature measurement Methods 0.000 claims 6
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 claims 4
- 238000000105 evaporative light scattering detection Methods 0.000 claims 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 238000013500 data storage Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000007726 management method Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000010453 quartz Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon dioxide Inorganic materials O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 abstract 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
- G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
- G01M3/26—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
- G01M3/32—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for containers, e.g. radiators
- G01M3/3236—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for containers, e.g. radiators by monitoring the interior space of the containers
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)
Abstract
An intrinsically safe, precise, and cost effective storage tank leak detection system. Embodiments include a highly precise quartz crystal type pressure transducer, secured in a vacuum and held at a constant temperature. Said transducer is used in combination with data correction and regression techniques to yield a storage tank leak detection system with an extremely low leak detection threshold. The storage tank leak detection system is thought to be most useful for detecting very small leaks in very large storage tanks, most likely above ground storage tanks.
Claims (5)
1. An apparatus for detecting leaks in a liquid storage tank comprising:
differential pressure sensor means having a low pressure measurement component and a high pressure measurement component;
protective enclosure means for protecting said differential pressure sensor means from materials and conditions when immersed in liquid contents of said storage tank;
said high pressure measurement component being configured for measuring tank bottom pressure within a liquid in which said canister is immersed;
said low pressure measurement component being configured for receiving data indicative of atmospheric pressure substantially at the surface of said liquid barometric pressure measuring means configured for measuring atmospheric pressure substantially at the surface of said liquid when said protective enclosure means is immersed therein;
barometric pressure and differential pressure calculation means configured for receiving first and second data reflecting, respectively, said tank bottom pressure and of said barometric pressure substantially at said surface of said liquid, and for adjusting said first data to substantially eliminate variations upon said measurements of said tank bottom pressure caused solely from atmospheric pressure variations to yield an atmospheric pressure adjusted tank bottom pressure;
ambient temperature measurement means for measuring ambient temperature near said storage tank;
tank dynamic and barometric pressure adjusted tank bottom pressure calculation means configured for receiving third data indicative of said atmospheric pressure adjusted tank bottom pressure, for receiving fourth data indicative of ambient temperature measurements by said ambient temperature measurement means, , for receiving data indicative of expansion characteristics of said storage tank, and for adjusting said third data with reference to said fourth, fifth data to substantially eliminate variations upon measurements and calculations of said barometric pressure adjusted tank bottom pressure, caused solely by dimensional changes in said storage tank resulting from atmospheric temperature variations, to yield a tank dynamic adjusted tank bottom pressure;
tank content mass calculation means for calculating mass contents of said storage tank substantially based on said tank dynamic adjusted tank bottom pressure and user input data reflecting physical characteristics of said contents of said storage tank.
differential pressure sensor means having a low pressure measurement component and a high pressure measurement component;
protective enclosure means for protecting said differential pressure sensor means from materials and conditions when immersed in liquid contents of said storage tank;
said high pressure measurement component being configured for measuring tank bottom pressure within a liquid in which said canister is immersed;
said low pressure measurement component being configured for receiving data indicative of atmospheric pressure substantially at the surface of said liquid barometric pressure measuring means configured for measuring atmospheric pressure substantially at the surface of said liquid when said protective enclosure means is immersed therein;
barometric pressure and differential pressure calculation means configured for receiving first and second data reflecting, respectively, said tank bottom pressure and of said barometric pressure substantially at said surface of said liquid, and for adjusting said first data to substantially eliminate variations upon said measurements of said tank bottom pressure caused solely from atmospheric pressure variations to yield an atmospheric pressure adjusted tank bottom pressure;
ambient temperature measurement means for measuring ambient temperature near said storage tank;
tank dynamic and barometric pressure adjusted tank bottom pressure calculation means configured for receiving third data indicative of said atmospheric pressure adjusted tank bottom pressure, for receiving fourth data indicative of ambient temperature measurements by said ambient temperature measurement means, , for receiving data indicative of expansion characteristics of said storage tank, and for adjusting said third data with reference to said fourth, fifth data to substantially eliminate variations upon measurements and calculations of said barometric pressure adjusted tank bottom pressure, caused solely by dimensional changes in said storage tank resulting from atmospheric temperature variations, to yield a tank dynamic adjusted tank bottom pressure;
tank content mass calculation means for calculating mass contents of said storage tank substantially based on said tank dynamic adjusted tank bottom pressure and user input data reflecting physical characteristics of said contents of said storage tank.
2. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said protective enclosure means is configured for maintaining at least some components of said apparatus within said canister, including said differential pressure sensor, but excepting said low pressure measurement component and said high pressure measurement component, in a substantial vacuum.
3. The apparatus of Claim 1 further comprising protective enclosure temperature management means configured for maintaining the temperature of said protective enclosure substantially at a user-specified temperature.
4. A method for detecting leaks in a storage receptacle; comprising the steps of:
selecting a mass detection system comprising:
differential pressure sensor means having a low pressure measurement component and a high pressure measurement component;
protective enclosure means for protecting said differential pressure sensor means from materials and conditions when immersed in liquid contents of said storage tank;
said high pressure measurement component being configured for measuring tank bottom pressure within a liquid in which said canister is immersed;
said low pressure measurement component being configured for receiving data indicative of atmospheric pressure substantially at the surface of said liquid barometric pressure measuring means configured for measuring atmospheric pressure substantially at the surface of said liquid when said protective enclosure means is immersed therein;
barometric pressure and differential pressure calculation means configured for receiving first and second data reflecting, respectively, said tank bottom pressure and of said barometric pressure substantially at said surface of said liquid, and for adjusting said first data to substantially eliminate variations upon said measurements of said tank bottom pressure caused solely from atmospheric pressure variations to yield an atmospheric pressure adjusted tank bottom pressure;
ambient temperature measurement means for measuring ambient temperature near said storage tank;
tank dynamic and barometric pressure adjusted tank bottom pressure calculation means configured for receiving third data indicative of said atmospheric pressure adjusted tank bottom pressure, for receiving fourth data indicative of ambient temperature measurements by said ambient temperature measurement means, , for receiving data indicative of expansion characteristics of said storage tank, and for adjusting said third data with reference to said fourth, fifth data to substantially eliminate variations upon measurements and calculations of said barometric pressure adjusted tank bottom pressure, caused solely by dimensional changes in said storage tank resulting from atmospheric temperature variations, to yield a tank dynamic adjusted tank bottom pressure;
tank content mass calculation means for calculating mass content data representative of the contents of said storage tank substantially based on said tank dynamic adjusted tank bottom pressure and user input data reflecting physical characteristics of said contents of said storage tank;
selecting data storage means for collecting a plurality of mass content data as generated by said tank content mass calculation means over a plurality of points in time;
selecting computing means configured for generating a human perceptible indicating of changes in said mass content data between a plurality of said points in time;
placing said protective enclosure means substantially at a bottom interior surface of said storage tank;
actuating said mass detection system; and observing data indicative of changes in said mass content data attributable to leakage of said storage tank to detect of such leakage.
selecting a mass detection system comprising:
differential pressure sensor means having a low pressure measurement component and a high pressure measurement component;
protective enclosure means for protecting said differential pressure sensor means from materials and conditions when immersed in liquid contents of said storage tank;
said high pressure measurement component being configured for measuring tank bottom pressure within a liquid in which said canister is immersed;
said low pressure measurement component being configured for receiving data indicative of atmospheric pressure substantially at the surface of said liquid barometric pressure measuring means configured for measuring atmospheric pressure substantially at the surface of said liquid when said protective enclosure means is immersed therein;
barometric pressure and differential pressure calculation means configured for receiving first and second data reflecting, respectively, said tank bottom pressure and of said barometric pressure substantially at said surface of said liquid, and for adjusting said first data to substantially eliminate variations upon said measurements of said tank bottom pressure caused solely from atmospheric pressure variations to yield an atmospheric pressure adjusted tank bottom pressure;
ambient temperature measurement means for measuring ambient temperature near said storage tank;
tank dynamic and barometric pressure adjusted tank bottom pressure calculation means configured for receiving third data indicative of said atmospheric pressure adjusted tank bottom pressure, for receiving fourth data indicative of ambient temperature measurements by said ambient temperature measurement means, , for receiving data indicative of expansion characteristics of said storage tank, and for adjusting said third data with reference to said fourth, fifth data to substantially eliminate variations upon measurements and calculations of said barometric pressure adjusted tank bottom pressure, caused solely by dimensional changes in said storage tank resulting from atmospheric temperature variations, to yield a tank dynamic adjusted tank bottom pressure;
tank content mass calculation means for calculating mass content data representative of the contents of said storage tank substantially based on said tank dynamic adjusted tank bottom pressure and user input data reflecting physical characteristics of said contents of said storage tank;
selecting data storage means for collecting a plurality of mass content data as generated by said tank content mass calculation means over a plurality of points in time;
selecting computing means configured for generating a human perceptible indicating of changes in said mass content data between a plurality of said points in time;
placing said protective enclosure means substantially at a bottom interior surface of said storage tank;
actuating said mass detection system; and observing data indicative of changes in said mass content data attributable to leakage of said storage tank to detect of such leakage.
5. The method of Claim 4 further comprising the steps of:
securing all input and outflow orifices of said storage tank before said actuation of said mass detection system;
and substantially selectively processing said mass content data which were generated approximately between sunset and sunrise at an installation site of said system.
securing all input and outflow orifices of said storage tank before said actuation of said mass detection system;
and substantially selectively processing said mass content data which were generated approximately between sunset and sunrise at an installation site of said system.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPCT/US2004/021704 | 2004-07-07 | ||
| PCT/US2004/021704 WO2005008206A2 (en) | 2003-07-07 | 2004-07-07 | Method and apparatus for storage tank leak detection |
| PCT/US2005/016930 WO2006016931A1 (en) | 2004-07-07 | 2005-05-13 | Method and apparatus for storage tank leak detection |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2575772A1 true CA2575772A1 (en) | 2006-02-16 |
| CA2575772C CA2575772C (en) | 2010-07-06 |
Family
ID=35839557
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2575772A Active CA2575772C (en) | 2004-07-07 | 2005-05-13 | Method and apparatus for storage tank leak detection |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2575772C (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2006016931A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7712352B2 (en) | 2004-07-07 | 2010-05-11 | Mass Technology Corporation | Method and apparatus for storage tank leak detection |
| US7739901B2 (en) | 2004-07-07 | 2010-06-22 | Mass Technology Corporation | System and method for detecting and quantifying changes in the mass content of liquid storage containers |
| CA2753411C (en) | 2009-02-23 | 2017-09-26 | Mass Technology Corporation | Method and apparatus for leak detection in horizontal cylindrical storage tanks |
| CN113188597A (en) * | 2021-04-29 | 2021-07-30 | 开封迪尔空分实业有限公司 | Safety protection system for air separation |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4862733A (en) * | 1987-01-16 | 1989-09-05 | Hyfantis Jr George J | Method and apparatus for detecting leaks in a liquid-containing tank |
| US5201212A (en) * | 1991-02-13 | 1993-04-13 | Tanknology Corporation International | Line leak detector and method |
| US5267467A (en) * | 1992-07-27 | 1993-12-07 | Ford Motor Company | Mass air flow sensor two temperature production line test apparatus |
-
2005
- 2005-05-13 WO PCT/US2005/016930 patent/WO2006016931A1/en active Application Filing
- 2005-05-13 CA CA2575772A patent/CA2575772C/en active Active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2006016931A1 (en) | 2006-02-16 |
| CA2575772C (en) | 2010-07-06 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request |