| 摘要 |
72432-36 LEAK DETECTION SYSTEM FOR STORAGE TANKS A leak detection system for detecting the leakage of fluids from storage tanks uses a reference container, such as a standpipe, having its bottom adjacent the level of the bottom of the tank, which is initialized to the same hydrostatic head pressure as the tank, and then closed off. The differential pressure between the hydrostatic head pressures of the standpipe and the tank is monitored over time in an externally mounted differential pressure gauge in order to detect the leakage of fluid from the storage tank. Shut off of valves are provided in a tank pressure pipe and a reference pressure pipe to isolate both sides of the differential pressure gauge. The very high sensitivity of available differential pressure gauges allows the detection of very small leaks and very low leakage rates. A leak detection system of unitary construction may be provided in which the standpipe is provided with an equalizing valve so that the system may be installed through a single hole in the top of a liquid storage tank. In alternate embodiments the standpipe is mounted internally and external to the tank and in an external extension of the tank. In another embodiment a vacuum system is used to draw fluid equally through the differential pressure gauge from both the tank and the standpipe to develop equal negative pressures on each side of the gauge. |
