Low-Rise Secondary Container Spill Containment Sump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fuel containment sump testing methods, such as those requiring water filling, are time-consuming, disrupt fuel station operations, and generate hazardous waste, while double-walled systems offer high environmental protection but are complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A containment sump design featuring a primary container with a secondary container extending only partway up its outer wall, creating a hermetically sealed interstitial space at the bottom, allowing for leak detection and containment without penetrating through the interstitial space, thus combining the cost-effectiveness of single-wall systems with the environmental protection of double-wall systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional water-based testing procedures are used for containment sumps, then leak detection can be performed, but the testing process is time-consuming, disrupts fuel station operations, and generates hazardous waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical water-based testing system with an optical testing system. The interstitial space is filled with a reflective material (such as foam or beads) that reflects light. A light source and sensor detect changes in light reflection patterns to identify leaks, eliminating the need for water filling and lengthy waiting periods while maintaining leak detection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter used for leak detection from liquid level measurement (water-based) to optical property measurement (light reflection). By filling the interstitial space with reflective material and using light sources with specific wavelengths, the system achieves rapid leak detection without the time-consuming water filling and draining process
2Object-affected harmful factors
If double-walled containment systems are used, then environmental protection is enhanced, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the primary container inside the secondary container, creating an interstitial space between them. This nested structure provides double-walled containment protection while maintaining a compact design. The reflective material is nested within this interstitial space to enable optical testing, achieving environmental protection without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary reflective material (foam, beads, or other reflective substances) into the interstitial space between primary and secondary containers. This intermediary material enables optical leak detection and provides structural support, simplifying the overall system while maintaining the environmental protection benefits of double-walled construction
3Reliability
If the secondary container extends fully up the primary container wall, then complete interstitial space coverage is achieved, but conduit penetration becomes more difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the secondary container height variable rather than uniform. The secondary container extends partially up the primary container wall, creating different zones: a covered interstitial space at the bottom for leak containment, and an exposed upper portion of the primary container for easy conduit penetration. This localized approach maintains sealing reliability where needed while simplifying manufacturing and installation where appropriate
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enables efficient leak detection and containment within the sump, reducing operational disruptions and hazardous waste generation while maintaining high environmental protection, and simplifies testing by eliminating the need for water-based testing procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The interstitial space is filled with a reflective material, such as foam or beads. A light source and sensor are positioned to detect changes in light reflection patterns, which indicate the presence of a leak.
Implementation Method 2
A light source and sensor are positioned to detect changes in light reflection patterns
Data Source
AI summary
A containment sump has a primary container and a secondary container which extends only partway up the outer wall of the primary container. This “low-rise” secondary container, in certain embodiments, cooperates with the primary container to create a hermetically sealed interstitial space encompassing the bottom of the primary container, including the lower portion of the upright containment wall and the container bottom. In alternative embodiments, the secondary container is a subassembly forming an interstitial space and joined as a subassembly to the primary container. More particularly, the upper end of the interstitial space may be below pipe or other conduit penetrations through the sidewall of the primary container. At the same time, any leak which may develop over the service life of the containment sump would be contained and detected within the bottom of the primary and/or secondary containers. Therefore, the present system combines the low cost and high reliability associated with single-wall penetrations through containment sump walls, while also offering the high level of environmental protection associated with double-wall spill containment.