Patent US2521165A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5048324A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5048324A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aboveground tank leak detection system and method
Assignee: Praxair Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1989-07-11
•
Granted: 1991-09-17
•
Expires: 2009-07-11
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for detecting fluid leaks from aboveground fluid storage tanks is disclosed. The invention consists of radially disposing a plurality sample probes in the subsurface soil area underneath the aboveground tank. Each of the plurality of sample probes are connected to a vacuum pump and a sampling port to collect the soil gasses drawn from the subsurface soil area. At least one air injection probe is disposed in the subsurface soil area and extends underneath the aboveground tank to an approximate center point of the tank circumference. The volatile liquid phase tracer is mixed with the fluid in the tank, and soil gas samples are evacuated through the subsurface soil area underneath the tank into the sample probes, collected and analyzed for the presence of the gas phase tracer.
Inventors
- 👤 Glenn M. Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:55
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/20; G01M3/22; G01M3/226
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for detecting a leak from an aboveground fluid storage tank disposed on a backfill material, comprising: volatile liquid phase tracer means for providing a gas phase detectable component in a fluid leak, a quantity of said volatile liquid phase tracer means being mixed with the fluid in said aboveground fluid storage tank; a plurality of sample probe members horizontally and radially disposed in the backfill material underneath the aboveground fluid storage tank; and evacuation means, operably coupled to said plurality of sample probe members, for evacuating gas samples from the backfill material underneath the aboveground fluid storage tank, into and through said at least one of a plurality of sample probe members.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for detecting a leak from an aboveground fluid storage tank disposed on a backfill material, comprising: volatile liquid phase tracer means for providing a gas phase detectable component in a fluid leak, a quantity of said volatile liquid phase tracer means being mixed with the fluid in said aboveground fluid storage tank; a plurality of sample probe members horizontally and radially disposed in the backfill material underneath the aboveground fluid storage tank; and evacuation means, operably coupled to said plurality of sample probe members, for evacuating gas samples from the backfill material underneath the aboveground fluid storage tank, into and through said at least one of a plurality of sample probe members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid in said aboveground tank is a liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fluid in said aboveground fluid storage tank is a gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said fluid in said aboveground fluid storage tank is fuel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises means for collecting at least one sample of said gas drawn through said plurality of sample probe members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said apparatus further comprising means for analyzing said at least one sample of said air drawn through said plurality of sample probe members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for analyzing said at least one sample of said air further comprises a gas chromatograph.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said liquid phase tracer means is selected from the group consisting of halogenated halocarbons, methanes, ethanes and ethenes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said liquid phase tracer means is a fluorinated halocarbon compound having a boiling point less than that of gasoline.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said liquid phase tracer means is selected from the group consisting of halogenated methanes, halogenated ethanes, sulfurhexafluoride, perfluorodecalin, and perfluoro 1,3 dimethylcyclohexane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said liquid phase tracer means has a boiling point in the range of about -72° C. and 150° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said liquid phase tracer means is a halogenated methane selected from the group consisting of chlorobromodifluoromethane, trifluoroiodomethane, trifluorobromomethane, dibromodifluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane and tetrafluoromethane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said liquid phase tracer means has a boiling point in the range of about -72° C. and 150° C.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said liquid phase tracer means is a halogenated ethane selected from the group consisting of dichlorotetrafluoroethane, hexafluoroethane, trichlorotrifluoroethane, dibromotetrafluoroethane and tetrachlorodifluoroethane.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said liquid phase tracer means has a boiling point in the range of about -72° C. and 150° C.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tracer is a halogenated ethene comprising tetrafluoroethene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said boiling point of said liquid phase tracer means is between about -72° C. and 150° C.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises at least one air injection member for injecting air, under pressure, into the backfill material underneath the aboveground fluid storage tank, said at least one air injection member being horizontally and radially disposed in the backfill material underneath the aboveground fluid storage tank and having an open end thereof positioned substantially centrally relative to a central vertical axis of the aboveground fluid storage tank.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises leak simulation means for simulating a leak in the backfill material underneath the aboveground fluid storage tank.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said leak simulation means further comprises a hollow tubular member disposed in the backfill material and positioned such that a simulated leak may be introduced into the backfill material underneath the perimeter of the aboveground fluid storage tank.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said leak simulation means further comprises a different and distinct volatile liquid phase tracer mixed with fluid from the aboveground fluid storage tank, said tracer-doped fluid being introduced into the backfill material through said hollow tubular member to simulate a fluid leak in the backfill material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said different and distinct volatile liquid phase tracer means is selected from the group consisting of halogenated, halocarbons, methanes, and ethanes and ethenes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said different and distinct volatile liquid phase tracer means is a halocarbon compound having a boiling point less than that of gasoline.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said different and distinct volatile liquid phase tracer means is selected from the group consisting of halogenated methanes, halogenated ethanes, halogenated ethenes, sulfurhexafluoride, perfluorodecalin, and perfluoro 1,3 dimethylcyclohexane.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said liquid phase tracer means has a boiling point in the range of about -72° C. and 150° C.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said different and distinct liquid phase tracer means is a halogenated methane selected from the group consisting of chlorobromodifluoromethane, trifluoroiodomethane, trifluorobromomethane, dibromodifluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane and tetrafluoromethane.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said liquid phase tracer means has a boiling point in the range of about -72° C. and 150° C.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said different and distinct liquid phase tracer means is a halogenated ethane selected from the group consisting of dichlorotetrafluoroethane, hexafluoroethane, trichlorotrifluoroethane, dibromotetrafluoroethane and tetrachlorodifluoroethane.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said liquid phase tracer means has a boiling point in the range of about -72° C. and 150° C.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said halogenated ethene further comprises tetrafluoroethene.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said boiling point of said liquid phase tracer means is between about -72° C. and 150° C.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said evacuation means further comprises a manifold operably connected to each of said plurality of sample probe members.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said evacuation means further comprises at least one gas sampling port associated with each of said plurality of sample probe members, said at least one gas sampling port being provided relatively upstream from the connection between each of said plurality of sample probe members and said manifold.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for detecting a leak from an aboveground fluid storage tank disposed on a backfill material, comprising the steps of: mixing a volatile liquid phase tracer means for providing a gas phase detectable component in a fluid leak with the fluid in said aboveground fluid storage tank; disposing a plurality of sample probe members in the backfill material horizontally and radially underneath the aboveground fluid storage tank; evacuating soil gas into and through said at least one of a plurality of sample probe members; and collecting and analyzing said evacuated soil gas for the presence of said gas phase tracer for determining when a leak is present in the aboveground fluid storage tank.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for detecting a leak from an aboveground fluid storage tank disposed on a backfill material, comprising the steps of: mixing a volatile liquid phase tracer means for providing a gas phase detectable component in a fluid leak with the fluid in said aboveground fluid storage tank; disposing a plurality of sample probe members in the backfill material horizontally and radially underneath the aboveground fluid storage tank; evacuating soil gas into and through said at least one of a plurality of sample probe members; and collecting and analyzing said evacuated soil gas for the presence of said gas phase tracer for determining when a leak is present in the aboveground fluid storage tank.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 34, wherein said step of collecting and analyzing said evacuated soil gas further comprises analyzing said collected soil gas for the presence of gas phase tracer by gas chromatography.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 34, wherein said mixing step further comprises the step of selecting said liquid phase from the group consisting of halogenated methanes, ethanes and ethenes.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 34, wherein said mixing step further comprises the step of selecting said liquid phase tracer means to be a fluorinated halocarbon compound having a boiling point less than that of gasoline.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 34, wherein said mixing step further comprises the step of selecting said liquid phase tracer means from the group consisting of halogenated methanes, halogenated ethanes, halogenated ethenes, sulfurhexafluoride, perfluorodecalin, and perfluoro 1,3 dimethyl cyclohexane.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 38, wherein said mixing step further comprises selecting said liquid phase tracer means to have a boiling point in the range of about -72° C. and 150° C.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 34, wherein said mixing step further comprises selecting said liquid phase tracer means from the group of halogenated methanes consisting of chlorobromodifluoromethane, trifluoroiodomethane, trifluorobromomethane, dibromodifluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane and tetrafluoromethane.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 40, wherein said step of selecting said liquid phase tracer means further comprises selecting said halogenated methane which has a boiling point in the range of about -72° C. and 150° C.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 34, wherein said mixing step further comprises the step of selecting said liquid phase tracer means from the group of halogenated ethanes consisting of dichlorotetrafluoroethane, hexafluoroethane, trichlorotrifluoroethane, dibromotetrafluoroethane and tetrachlorodifluoroethane.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 42, wherein said step of selecting said liquid phase tracer means further comprises selecting said halogenated ethane which has a boiling point in the range of about -72° C. and 150° C.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 34, wherein said selecting step further comprises selecting said liquid phase tracer means to be tetrafluoroethene.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 34, wherein said method further comprises the step of disposing air injection means for injecting air, under pressure, horizontally and radially into the backfill material underneath the aboveground fluid storage tank, said means having an open end thereof disposed in the backfill material underneath the aboveground fluid storage tank, said open end being positioned substantially centrally with respect to a central vertical axis of said aboveground fluid storage tank.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 45, wherein said step of disposing air injection means further comprises disposing a hollow tubular member in the backfill material and positioning said hollow tubular member such that air is injected into the backfill material substantially centrally with respect to the aboveground fluid storage tank.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 34, wherein said method further comprises the step of disposing leak simulation means into the backfill material for simulating a leak in the backfill material underneath the aboveground fluid storage tank.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 47, wherein said step of disposing leak simulation means further comprises disposing a hollow tubular member in the backfill material and positioning said hollow tubular member such that a simulated leak may be introduced into the backfill material underneath the perimeter of the aboveground fluid storage tank.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 47, wherein said method further comprises the step of simulating a leak by introducing a different and distinct volatile liquid phase tracer mixed with fluid from the aboveground fluid storage tank into the backfill material through said leak simulation means concurrently with said step of evacuating soil gas.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 49, wherein said step of introducing a different and distinct volatile liquid phase tracer means further comprises the step of selecting said different and distinct volatile liquid phase tracer means consisting of halogenated methanes, ethanes and ethenes.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 50, wherein said selecting step further comprises the step of selecting said different and distinct volatile liquid phase tracer means to be halocarbon compound having a boiling point less than that of fuel.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 50, wherein said selecting step further comprises the step of selecting said different and distinct volatile liquid phase tracer means from the group consisting of halogenated methanes, halogenated ethanes, halogenated ethenes, sulfurhexafluoride, perfluorodecalin, and perfluoro 1,3 dimethylcyclohexane.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 52, wherein said selecting step further comprises selecting said different and distinct liquid phase tracer means to have a boiling point in the range of about -72° C. and 150° C.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 42, wherein said step of selecting a different and distinct liquid phase tracer means further comprises selecting a halogenated methane from the group consisting of chlorobromodifluoromethane, trifluoroiodomethane, trifluorobromomethane, dibromodifluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane and tetrafluoromethane.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 54, wherein said step of selecting a different and distinct liquid phase tracer means further comprises selecting a halogenated methane having a boiling point in the range of about -72° C. and 150° C.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
35 words
The mehod of claim 49, wherein said step of selecting a different and distinct liquid phase tracer means further comprises selecting a halogenated ethane from the group consisting of dichlorotetrafluoroethane, hexafluoroethane, trichlorotrifluoroethane, dibromotetrafluoroethane and tetrachlorodifluoroethane.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 56, wherein said step of selecting a different and distinct liquid phase tracer means further comprises selecting a halogenated ethane which has a boiling point in the range of about -72° C. and 150° C.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 56, wherein said step of selecting a different and distinct liquid phase tracer means further comprises the step of selecting tetrafluoroethene.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3964292A
Cited
US3995472A
Cited
US4020697A
Cited
US4709577A
Cited
US4725551A
Cited
US4754136A
Cited
US4740777A
Cited
US4896528A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-09-16 | 1995-03-18 | 1995-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-16 | 1999-03-18 | 1999-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-16 | 2003-03-18 | 2003-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |