System, Apparatus and Method for Monitoring Accumulation of Fluids in a Containment Tank

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring accumulation of fluids in a containment tank is provided. The system may be operable to and method may function to prevent (i) fluids destined for an underground storage tank (“UST”) from entering into, diffusing into and / or contaminating the ground soil due to, for example, spillage or overflow of a fill pipe of the UST when filing or otherwise servicing the UST, and / or (ii) fluids present in the ground soil from entering into and / or contaminating fluids stored in the underground storage tank. The system may include a first containment chamber that defines a given volume; a second containment chamber that may be positioned substantially within the given volume; an accumulation zone defined by a volume between the first and second containment chambers; and a monitoring device for detecting accumulation of fluids in the accumulation zone.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field[0002]The following generally relates to containment tanks and monitors thereof. More particularly, the following relates to a system, apparatus and method for monitoring and / or detecting an accumulation of fluids that may accumulate in an accumulation zone of the containment tank.[0003]2. Related Art[0004]A legacy holding or containment tank, which typically resides (at least in part) in ground soil below ground level, acts a barrier between the ground soil it resides in and a subterranean fill pipe or other port of an underground storage tank. As a barrier, the legacy containment tank is operable to prevent (i) fluids destined for the underground storage tank from entering into, diffusing into and / or contaminating the ground soil due to, for example, spillage or overflow of the fill pipe when filing of the underground storage tank, and / or (ii) fluids present in the ground soil from entering into and / or contaminating fluids stored in the underground storage ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]Examples described herein below generally relate to a system, apparatus and method for monitoring accumulation of fluids in a containment tank. The system and apparatus may be operable to and the method may function to prevent (i) fluids destined for an underground storage tank (“UST”) from entering into, diffusing into and / or contaminating the ground soil due to, for example, spillage or overflow of a fill pipe of the UST when filing or otherwise servicing the UST, and / or (ii) fluids present in the ground soil from entering into and / or contaminating fluids stored in the underground storage tank. The system may include a first containment chamber that defines a given volume; a second containment chamber that may be positioned substantially within the given volume; an accumulation zone defined by a volume between the first and second containment chambers; and a monitoring device for detecting accumulation of fluids in the accumulation zone.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, the visual inspection and / or chemical testing of the legacy containment and double-walled containment tanks has to be performed on a periodic (e.g., daily) basis so as to ensure that the any fluids accumulated in the containers and / or the accumulation zone do not overfill and / or contaminate the ground and / or the underground storage tank.

Many times, such inspections and testing do not accurately indicate an amount and / or type of fluid accumulating.

In addition, such inspections and testing may not be performed often enough to detect a rapid accumulation of the fluids.

On the other hand, the inspections and testing may turn out to be an utter waste of resources (e.g., manpower, testing supplies, etc.) when little or no fluids accumulate in the containers and / or the accumulation zone.

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