Vacuum-Based Tank Leak Detection Using Soap Visualization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for detecting leaks in underground or underwater storage tanks are unreliable, inconvenient, and fail to accurately locate leaks, often requiring disruptive and costly excavation processes.
Innovation Solution
A leak detection apparatus and method involving emptying and sealing the tank, applying a soap solution to interior surfaces, and using a vacuum to reduce pressure, allowing for visual inspection of bubbles or water spots to pinpoint leak locations, with optional video recording and robotic assistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pressure tests or still gauging methods are used to detect leaks, then leak detection can be performed, but the methods are insensitive, unreliable, or require disruptive tank service interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The tank is emptied and prepared in advance before the leak detection test is performed. This preliminary action allows the tank to be in the optimal state for testing without requiring service interruption during the actual test, as the tank is already empty and ready for the vacuum application and inspection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces conventional mechanical pressure testing methods with a vacuum-based detection system. By applying vacuum pressure and using soap solution visualization, the system achieves more sensitive and reliable leak detection without the disruptions associated with traditional pressure testing and still gauging methods.
2Reliability
If vapor detection methods are used to detect hydrocarbons in the subsurface, then leak presence can be indicated, but the method is highly unreliable due to false positives from surface spills
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the detection process from the problematic vapor detection method and relocates it to the interior surface of the tank. By applying soap solution directly to the interior surfaces under vacuum conditions, the system eliminates false positives from surface spills and directly visualizes leaks at their source location.
Solution Approach 2:
The soap solution acts as an intermediary that makes leaks visible. When applied to the interior tank surfaces under vacuum, the soap solution creates bubbles at leak points, providing clear visual indication that eliminates the false positive problems associated with vapor detection methods.
3Measurement precision
If traditional leak detection methods are used to locate leaks, then leak presence can be confirmed, but the exact location cannot be determined without dangerous and expensive excavation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of excavating from the outside to find leaks, the invention inverts the approach by inspecting the interior surfaces of the tank. By applying soap solution to the interior surfaces under vacuum, leak locations are directly visualized as bubbles, eliminating the need for excavation entirely and providing precise location information immediately.
4Measurement precision
If the tank is filled with product for still gauging testing, then liquid level changes can be monitored, but the process requires twelve hours of tank service disruption and expensive product purchase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the time-consuming still gauging method with a vacuum-based visual inspection system. By applying vacuum and soap solution to the empty tank interior, leaks are immediately visible as bubbles, eliminating the twelve-hour testing duration and product purchase requirements while maintaining high measurement precision for leak detection.
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 approach provides a sensitive, rapid, and cost-effective method for detecting and locating leaks in underground and underwater storage tanks without the need for tank removal or extensive excavation, improving reliability and efficiency over existing techniques.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum pulled to reduce the interior pressure in the containment
Implementation Method 2
Leaks appear as bubbles, pinpointing the location of a leak
Data Source
AI summary
Described is an apparatus and method for detecting leaks in a storage tank or containment of the type having a removable cover. The apparatus includes a replacement cover for the containment, a vacuum source, a fitting mounted in an aperture in the replacement cover and connected through a valve through a vacuum source, and a sprayer wand for spraying soapy liquid onto interior walls of the tank. Also provided is a method for detecting leaks in a storage tank or containment including the steps of emptying the tank of its contents, cleaning interior walls of the tank, spraying a soapy water liquid onto interior walls of the tank, reducing pressure within the tank, and examining the interior walls of the tank for bubbles.