EP1683998A2 - Un système pour rendre les réservoirs sûrs - Google Patents

Un système pour rendre les réservoirs sûrs Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1683998A2
EP1683998A2 EP20060001379 EP06001379A EP1683998A2 EP 1683998 A2 EP1683998 A2 EP 1683998A2 EP 20060001379 EP20060001379 EP 20060001379 EP 06001379 A EP06001379 A EP 06001379A EP 1683998 A2 EP1683998 A2 EP 1683998A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
inter
space
air
sensor
intake
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP20060001379
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Francesco Paolo Criffo'
Antonello Frisone
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NET 3 Srl
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NET 3 Srl
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Publication date
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Publication of EP1683998A2 publication Critical patent/EP1683998A2/fr
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C3/00—Vessels not under pressure
    • F17C3/005—Underground or underwater containers or vessels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • F17C2201/0109—Shape cylindrical with exteriorly curved end-piece
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/03—Orientation
    • F17C2201/035—Orientation with substantially horizontal main axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/054—Size medium (>1 m3)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/056—Small (<1 m3)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0612—Wall structures
    • F17C2203/0614—Single wall
    • F17C2203/0621—Single wall with three layers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
    • F17C2203/0612—Wall structures
    • F17C2203/0626—Multiple walls
    • F17C2203/0629—Two walls
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0636—Metals
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/0634—Materials for walls or layers thereof
    • F17C2203/0658—Synthetics
    • F17C2203/066—Plastics
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
    • F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
    • F17C2203/068—Special properties of materials for vessel walls
    • F17C2203/0682—Special properties of materials for vessel walls with liquid or gas layer
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
    • F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
    • F17C2205/0323—Valves
    • F17C2205/0326—Valves electrically actuated
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/03—Mixtures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
    • F17C2227/01—Propulsion of the fluid
    • F17C2227/0128—Propulsion of the fluid with pumps or compressors
    • F17C2227/0157—Compressors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/03—Control means
    • F17C2250/036—Control means using alarms
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/06—Controlling or regulating of parameters as output values
    • F17C2250/0605—Parameters
    • F17C2250/0636—Flow or movement of content
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/06—Controlling or regulating of parameters as output values
    • F17C2250/0605—Parameters
    • F17C2250/0642—Composition; Humidity
    • F17C2250/0647—Concentration of a product
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/06—Controlling or regulating of parameters as output values
    • F17C2250/0605—Parameters
    • F17C2250/0673—Time or time periods
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/03—Dealing with losses
    • F17C2260/035—Dealing with losses of fluid
    • F17C2260/036—Avoiding leaks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
    • F17C2260/03—Dealing with losses
    • F17C2260/035—Dealing with losses of fluid
    • F17C2260/038—Detecting leaked fluid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/01—Applications for fluid transport or storage
    • F17C2270/0142—Applications for fluid transport or storage placed underground
    • F17C2270/0144—Type of cavity
    • F17C2270/0147—Type of cavity by burying vessels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/05—Applications for industrial use

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system for rendering safe underground or non underground tanks or reservoirs for the storage of hazardous and polluting substances, e.g. fuels, combustible oils and the like.
  • hazardous and polluting substances e.g. fuels, combustible oils and the like.
  • the safety system according to the invention can be applied to tanks for the storage of other types of hazardous and polluting substances.
  • double walled tanks are known, provided with monitoring and alarm system to detect and warn of any leaks.
  • Such tanks have an inter-space between the two walls which is monitored by means of a system based on the pressure and vacuum generated within it.
  • Said monitoring system is connected to an alarm system which emits an alarm signal to warn assigned operators who replace the double wall tank before the leaks involve the outermost part as well, with the consequent spillage of fuel.
  • An object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art, providing a system for rendering tanks safe that can be monitored to reveal the presence of leaks and that at the same time is economical and whose installation is simple to accomplish.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for rendering a tank safe that is efficient, effective and safe.
  • the system for rendering tanks safe comprises an outer tank or reservoir to be rendered safe, and an inner tank made of plastic material able to contain the polluting liquid, positioned within the outer tank in such a way as to generate an inter-space between them.
  • An intake o suction pipe and a supply pipe are positioned within said inter-space formed between the two tanks.
  • the intake pipe is connected to intake means to intake air from said inter-space and exhaust it into the external environment.
  • the supply pipe is connected to the external environment to draw air from the exterior and inject it into said inter-space in such a way as to replenish the air aspirated by the intake pipe.
  • the system further comprises a vapour/gas detection unit comprising a vapour/gas sensor connected to said intake means to detect the vapours/gases aspirated from said inter-space.
  • the vapour/gas sensor is electrically connected to an audible/visual alarm that is activated when the sensor detects the presence of vapours/gases in the air aspirated from said inter-space.
  • Figures 1 and 2 show an outer tank 1 to be rendered safe.
  • the outer tank 1 has a body 10, generally made of metallic material, having a substantially cylindrical shape with the edges rounded.
  • an inner tank 2 Into the outer tank 1 is inserted an inner tank 2 in such a way as to obtain a double wall tank.
  • the inner tank 2 can comprise one or more strips of plastic material 20 with their lateral edges sealed together, by high frequency sealing or heat sealing 21, in spots or continuous. A strip of the desired length is thereby obtained, which is rolled into a tubular shape and the superposed longitudinal edges are sealed longitudinally by high frequency sealing or heat sealing 22.
  • each open circumferential end of the tubular shape is fastened two circular bottoms 23 made of the same plastic material as the strips 20, by high frequency sealing or heat sealing 24.
  • a longer tubular shape than the length of the tank can be provided, and each open circumferential end of the tubular shape can be closed in bag fashion by superposing the edges and high frequency sealing or heat sealing the superposed edges.
  • the inner tank 2 In the upper part of the inner tank 2 is obtained an opening around which is placed a cylindrical tang 25 destined to match with the manhole 11 of the outer tank 1 for the injection of the fuel into the inner tank 2.
  • the inner tank 2 is made with dimensions that are a few percentage points larger than the dimensions of the outer tank 1, to avoid mechanical stress, especially in the welded areas, due to a high pressure.
  • the material whereof the strips 20 and the bottoms 23 of the inner tank 2 is a multi-layer film (Fig. 1A) comprising three layers: an intermediate layer 26 constituted by a film of Nylon or polyamide and two surface layers 27 applied on both the faces of the intermediate layer of nylon 26.
  • the surface layers 27 constituted by a plastic material which can easily be sealed.
  • plastic materials of the surface layers 27 preferably materials based on polyurethane or polyurethane-polycarbonate or polycarbonate are used, which can be sealed by high frequency sealing or heat sealing.
  • such a multi-layer film assures excellent resistance to corrosion by fuels and the like.
  • a net made of plastic material 3 (Fig. 2) is positioned in the inner tank.
  • the net 3 is fastened to the inner wall of the outer tank 1 by means of adhesive materials and/or magnets.
  • the net 3 when the inner tank 2 is positioned in the outer tank 1, the net 3 is interposed between them generating an inter-space 30 between the inner surface of the outer tank and the outer surface of the inner tank.
  • the net 3 performs a dual function: it protects the inner tank 2 from the roughness of the inner surface of the reservoir 1 and at the same time it is able to assure a minimum circulation of air flows within the inter-space 30 formed between the two tanks 1 and 2.
  • the intake pipe 4 is connected to intake means 40 able to aspirate the air through the intake pipe 4 from the inter-space 30 between the two tanks 1 and 2 and to expel it to the exterior.
  • the supply pipe 5 is connected to the external environment to draw clean air and inject it into the inter-space 30 between the two tanks 1 and 2.
  • the supply pipe 5 can preferably have a greater flow rate than the intake pipe 4.
  • a flame arresting filter 55 able to prevent the entry of flame igniting agents into the inter-space 30 between the two tanks.
  • the intake means 40 are connected to a vapour/gas detection unit 6 which in its simplest version comprises a sensor 60 able to detect the presence of vapours/gases, such as fuel vapours, and accordingly to send an alarm signal to a visual or sound alarm 61 which is activated.
  • a vapour/gas detection unit 6 which in its simplest version comprises a sensor 60 able to detect the presence of vapours/gases, such as fuel vapours, and accordingly to send an alarm signal to a visual or sound alarm 61 which is activated.
  • the intake means 40 can be integrated in the detection unit 6 which will be equipped with other optional devices, as shall be described below with reference to Fig. 4.
  • the inner tank 2 After positioning the intake and supply pipes 4 and 5, the inner tank 2 is inserted in the outer tank 1, through the manhole 11. By means of a blower, the inner tank 2 is blown in such a way that it positions itself correctly in the outer tank 1.
  • straps 9 circular bands, 4 mm thick and 6 cm wide
  • the straps 9 serve the purpose of fastening the inner tank 2 in position on the plastic net 3 that is applied to the inner part of the outer tank 1.
  • magnets protected by a barrier film can be provided, positioned in the inner tank 2 in such a way as to anchor themselves by magnetic retention to the metallic outer part of the outer tank 1.
  • a carpet of nitrilic rubber 8 of adequate thickness and weight (Fig. 2).
  • the rubber carpet 8 has the function of protecting the bottom of the inner tank 2 from rod beating operations for the periodic check of the fill level.
  • the rubber carpet 8 also provides assurance that the inner tank 2 will not move during possible dregs aspirating operations.
  • the sensor 60 sends a first alarm signal to the alarm 61 which is activated.
  • the sensor 60 is preferably calibrated in such a way as to send an alarm signal to start from the reaching of a threshold value equal to 3% of the LEL (low explosion level).
  • Fig. 4 shows a complete version of the detection unit 6.
  • the basic fitting of the detection unit 6 comprises:
  • the intake and delivery pump 62 is preferably a membrane pump provided with an intake chamber 40 connected to the intake pipe 4 and a delivery chamber 50 connected to the sensor 60.
  • the pump 62 is driven by an electric motor M separate from the intake and delivery chambers 40, 50. Instead of the motor M, the pump 62 can also be connected to a Venturi valve actuated by a compressor.
  • the sensor 60 is connected to the delivery chamber 50 of the pump 62 and it is a catalytic combustion sensor (pellistor) able to test in a few minutes the flow of air aspirated by the pump 62.
  • the sensor 60 is able to detect the presence of any petrol or Diesel oil vapours, indicating a spill of pollutant from the inner tank 2. It must be considered that if the pollutant leaks out of the inner tank 2, it does not necessarily also leak out of the reservoir 1 and hence into the environment.
  • the sensor 60 is electrically connected to an alarm 61 provided with three indicator lights A1, A2, A3, e.g. red, corresponding to three different alarm levels (e.g. 3%, 5% and 10% of LEL or 10%, 20% and 30% of LEL, etc).
  • the third light A3 is also connected to an audible alarm, such as a buzzer.
  • the flow meter 63 is connected to the intake pipe 4 and it is calibrated to a flow of aspirated air of about 0.5 litres/min.
  • the flow meter 63 is provided with visual monitoring and manual adjustment.
  • the liquid blocking filter 64 is connected to the intake pipe 4 and it is positioned at the input of the unit 6, to prevent liquids, such as water or fuel, from being aspirated from the inter-space 30 between the two tanks.
  • the filter 64 is the type with float which blocks the passage of liquids through the intake pipe 4.
  • the unit 6 can be provided, in addition to the items listed above, also with the following components:
  • Said sensor 60 has different degrees and combinations of detection: the range goes from 3% to over 100% of the LEL in order to assure ample opportunities for intervention well before a detonating concentration of hazardous gases is reached in the inter-space 30 between the two tanks 1 and 2.
  • the sensor 60 allows to adjust minimum drifts.
  • the adjustment of the alarm thresholds will depend on the requirements of the system user and above all on the type of pollutant contained in the inner tank 2.
  • the sensor 60 In the case of Diesel oil, a greater sensitivity of the sensor 60 will be necessary (the sensor will thus be calibrated directly to 3% of the LEL), because the chemical composition of Diesel oil entails, for equal environmental conditions, less volatility of its representative element (nonane, i.e. C9) with respect to the representative element of petrol (butane, i.e. C4). Instead, in the case of gasoline storage, the sensor 60 will have a higher input calibration (e.g. 10% of LEL).
  • the electrical valve 65 is of the three-way type and it comprises a first inlet 65a connected to the intake pipe 4, an outlet 65b connected to the pump 62 and a second auxiliary inlet 65c connected to the outside environment.
  • the electrical valve 65 comprises a switching timer able to enable/disable the first inlet 65a or the second inlet 65c.
  • the electrical valve 65 is electrically connected to the sensor 60 that sends a command signal to control the switching timer.
  • the flow switch 66 is connected to the intake pipe 4 and it is able to transform into an electrical signal a variation in the flow of air within the intake pipe 4.
  • the flow switch 66 is electrically connected to a second visual/audible alarm 67 which comprises a yellow indicator light S1 and a buzzer.
  • the second alarm 67 is activated when the flow switch 66 detects a flow variation in the intake pipe 4.
  • the power supply blocking timer 69 is electrically connected to the sensor 60 and to the power supply of the motor M of the pump 62 and it is calibrated with a delay time set by the user.
  • the sensor 60 activates the third alarm A3, it simultaneously sends a command signal to the timer 69 which after the pre-set delay time removes the electrical power supply from the motor M of the pump.
  • the engineering of the unit 6 allows a series of advantages that are directly connected to efficiency and safety.
  • the electrical valve 65 will switch the intake from polluted air coming from the first inlet 65a to clean air coming from the second inlet 65c in order to preserve and safeguard to operating condition of the sensor 60, which is thus ready for new monitoring operations.
  • the air fouled by vapours aspirated by the intake pipe 4 could consume the sensitive element of the sensor 60.
  • the timer 69 After a certain number of minutes have elapsed (calibration from one minute to a few hours is possible), during which air is aspirated from the exterior, as is necessary to clean the sensor 60, the timer 69 sends a command signal to remove the power supply from the motor M of the pump 62 in order to increase the degree of safety in a suspicious situation, at risk of pollutant spillage.
  • the pump 62 can be replaced with a Venturi aspiration system in order to eliminate the presence, which is not dangerous in view of the area where the unit is positioned, of an electric motor M inside the unit itself.
  • liquid blocking filter 64 it is possible to prevent liquids from entering the intake pump 62. There could be both a spillage from the inner tank 2 of the fuel which would flood the inter-space 30 between the two tanks, and an entrance, through a hole of the outer reservoir 1 produced by free currents present in the ground, of water originating from the numerous water-bearing strata present in the subsoil.
  • the pump 62 through the intake pipe 4, would cause the liquid to rise to the unit 6.
  • This liquid would first flood the filter 64 whose task is to block the liquid by means of a float system.
  • the filter 64 would shut off, leading to a precipitous drop of the intake flow detectable through the simple observation of the graduated scale of the flow meter 63 or thanks to the concurrent action of the yellow fault indicator light S 1 and of the buzzer (audible alarm) of the alarm 67, activated by the flow switch 66.
  • the confirmation in one sense or in another could be had by checking a display positioned on the door of the unit 6 (or, depending on the model, directly on the sensor 60). If all three red alarm/LEL indicator lights A1, A2, A3 are on, then a fuel spill is occurring. If, instead, the first two indicator lights A1 and A2 were not on, but only the third one A3 were on together with the yellow fault indicator light 67, then water would have entered the reservoir 1 and thus the inter-space 30 between the reservoir and the inner tank 2.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
EP20060001379 2005-01-25 2006-01-24 Un système pour rendre les réservoirs sûrs Withdrawn EP1683998A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITMI20050096 ITMI20050096A1 (it) 2005-01-25 2005-01-25 Sistema per la messa in sicurezza di serbatoi

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1683998A2 true EP1683998A2 (fr) 2006-07-26

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20060001379 Withdrawn EP1683998A2 (fr) 2005-01-25 2006-01-24 Un système pour rendre les réservoirs sûrs

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EP (1) EP1683998A2 (fr)
IT (1) ITMI20050096A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102190139A (zh) * 2011-03-23 2011-09-21 李彩琴 具备监测功能的加油装置
WO2014167148A3 (fr) * 2013-04-12 2014-12-31 Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Récipient ou conduit multicouche pour fluides à haute pression
EP2656352B1 (fr) * 2010-12-21 2016-07-13 TN International Dispositif de stockage longue duree integrant un etui de stockage ventile destine a recevoir un etui de confinement contenant des matieres radioactives
DE102017003437A1 (de) * 2017-04-08 2018-10-11 blauwerk GmbH Gasspeicher
WO2019139183A1 (fr) * 2018-01-10 2019-07-18 Honeywell International Inc. Appareil de détection de gaz

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2656352B1 (fr) * 2010-12-21 2016-07-13 TN International Dispositif de stockage longue duree integrant un etui de stockage ventile destine a recevoir un etui de confinement contenant des matieres radioactives
CN102190139A (zh) * 2011-03-23 2011-09-21 李彩琴 具备监测功能的加油装置
WO2014167148A3 (fr) * 2013-04-12 2014-12-31 Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Récipient ou conduit multicouche pour fluides à haute pression
DE102017003437A1 (de) * 2017-04-08 2018-10-11 blauwerk GmbH Gasspeicher
WO2019139183A1 (fr) * 2018-01-10 2019-07-18 Honeywell International Inc. Appareil de détection de gaz
US11703492B2 (en) 2018-01-10 2023-07-18 Honeywell International Inc. Gas-detecting apparatus

Also Published As

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