131 results about "Underground storage tank" patented technology

A service station is provided with a plurality of vehicle servicing islands including liquid fuel blending pumps for dispensing and blending fuel components from underground storage tanks for refueling standard gasoline engine driven vehicles, standard diesel engine vehicles, vehicles with engines requiring dual fuels, vehicles with HCCL engines require low octane gasoline blended with standard diesel fuel, and fuel cell powered vehicles having onboard reformers. Other service islands include pumps for dispensing compressed hydrogen to fuel cell powered vehicles that do not include onboard reformers. In addition, service islands are provided for recharging the batteries of pure electric powered vehicles. A service station is further provided with a wireless communicator for receiving signals indicative of a vehicle's fuel requirements and transmitting signals to direct the vehicle to a service island capable of servicing the vehicle.

A fueling environment distributes fuel from a fuel supply to fuel dispensers in a daisy chain arrangement with a double-walled piping system. Fuel leaks that occur within the double-walled piping system are returned to the underground storage tank or a sump proximate the submersible turbine pump by the outer wall of the double-walled piping. This preserves the fuel for later use and helps reduce the risk of environmental contamination. Leak detectors may also be positioned in to fuel dispensers detect leaks and provide alarms for the operator, and help pinpoint leak detection that has occurred in the piping system proximate to a particular fuel dispenser or in between two consecutive fuel dispensers.

The invention discloses a mechanical cleaning system for an underground storage tank of a filling station. The mechanical cleaning system comprises a low-pressure jet cleaning device, an air replacement device, a gas atmosphere monitoring device, a cleaned-away dirt separation and recycling device, an oily sewage discharge standardization treatment device and an oil and gas recovery treatment device. The low-pressure jet cleaning device comprises a water storage tank, a booster pump, a heater, a turbine flowmeter and a cleaning machine, wherein the water storage tank, the booster pump, the heater, the turbine flowmeter and the cleaning machine are connected in sequence through pipelines. The air replacement device comprises a nitrogen generator, an air heater and an oilless air compressor. The oil and gas recovery treatment device comprises a precooler and an activated carbon adsorption tank, wherein the precooler and the activated carbon adsorption tank are connected with each other. The cleaned-away dirt separation and recycling device comprises a filter, a vacuum suction tank, a suction pump and an axial inlet hydrocyclone. The oily sewage discharge standardization treatment device comprises a compact vertical swirling air-floatation separation tank and a disk centrifuge. The mechanical cleaning system is intrinsically safe, efficient, environmentally friendly, compact in structure and capable of meeting related discharge requirements.

A matter-isolating system for use in combination with an underground storage tank assembly comprises primary and secondary spillage containment assemblies and a double-walled manhole assembly. The manhole assembly comprises a manhole lid, an outer skirt wall, and an inner skirt wall. The inner skirt wall defines an inner manhole cavity and an outer manhole channel. The outer manhole channel directs moisture from the lid to certain backfill material thus isolating the inner manhole cavity from channel-directed moisture. The spillage containment assemblies form concentric primary and secondary spillage-containing chambers in radial adjacency to a tank access conduit of the underground tank assembly. The inner manhole cavity functions to isolate the secondary spillage containment chamber from the outer manhole channel and the primary spillage containment chamber isolates the secondary spillage containment chamber from the tank access conduit. A chamber-monitoring system may be incorporated into the system for monitoring the isolated chambers.

A meter coupled in close proximity to an underground storage tank fuel pipe that delivers fuel from the underground storage tank to fuel dispensers in a service station environment. The meter measures the total amount of fuel drawn from the underground storage tank. The meter may be placed in a submersible turbine pump or in the main conduit that carries fuel to the fuel dispensers. The meter measurement is compared to the meter measurements in the individual fuel dispensers that receive the fuel drawn from the underground storage tank to determine if a discrepancy exists. A discrepancy may be indicative of meter tampering, meter calibration issues, and / or a leak in the fuel pipeline between the underground storage tank and the fuel dispensers. A leak detection test may be automatically performed if such discrepancy exists and / or an alarm condition generated and communicated.

A vacuum generator that is coupled to a double-walled fuel supply piping internal to a fuel dispenser that carries the fuel from the underground storage tank to the hose and nozzle of the fuel dispenser. The double-walled fuel supply piping contains an inner piping that carries the fuel. An interstitial space is formed by the space between the inner piping and an outer piping that surrounds the inner piping to capture any leaked fuel from the inner piping. The interstitial space is coupled to a vacuum created by the vacuum generator to determine if a leak exists in the interstitial space. The vacuum generator may be a standalone unit or may be a submersible turbine pump that also pumps fuel from the underground storage tank to the fuel dispenser.

There is provided a method for implementing a cathodic protection system for an underground storage tank. A DC voltage source provides a test current between the installed anode and storage tank resulting in the flow of electrical current. If the output is above a defined value, an automatic control DC power supply has sufficient voltage capacity to deliver the required current. If the anode test currents fall below the required minimum current, additional anode(s) are installed as set forth in a pre-engineered table. The method allows for the installation of a cathodic protection system by technicians and other non-experts.

A pump housing that contains a pump that draws fuel from an underground storage tank containing fuel to deliver to fuel dispensers in a service station environment. The pump is coupled to a double-walled fuel pipe that carries the fuel from the pump to the fuel dispensers. The double-walled fuel piping contains an inner annular space that carries the fuel and an outer annular space that captures any leaked fuel from the inner annular space. The outer annular space is maintained through the fuel piping from the pump to the fuel dispensers so that the outer annular space can be pressurized by a pump to determine if a leak exists in the outer annular space or so that fuel leaked from the inner annular space can be captured by a leak containment chamber in the pump housing.

The invention relates to a swivel adapter-coupler that is to be positioned between a conventional fixed drop elbow on the end of a hose of a tanker truck for an underground storage tank. The other end of the swivel adapter-coupler attaches to the pipe adapter (either the fill pipe or the vapor pipe) of the underground storage tank, in the conventional quick-connect type connection. The swivel adapter-coupler permits loops and kinks in the hose to be removed by rotating the swivel adapter-coupler in the proper direction. Likewise, the invention relates to a rotatable drop elbow to replace the conventional fixed drop elbow at the end of a hose on a tanker truck. The rotatable drop elbow eliminates loops and kinks in the hose by merely rotating the drop elbow in the proper direction.

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.

A pump housing that contains a pump that draws fuel from an underground storage tank containing fuel to deliver to fuel dispensers in a service station environment. The pump is coupled to a double-walled fuel pipe that carries the fuel from the pump to the fuel dispensers. The double-walled fuel piping contains an inner annular space that carries the fuel and an outer annular space that captures any leaked fuel from the inner annular space. The outer annular space is maintained through the fuel piping from the pump to the fuel dispensers so that the outer annular space can be pressurized by a pump to determine if a leak exists in the outer annular space or so that fuel leaked from the inner annular space can be captured by a leak containment chamber in the pump housing.

A pump housing that contains a pump that draws fuel from an underground storage tank containing fuel to deliver to fuel dispensers in a service station environment. The pump is coupled to a double-walled fuel pipe that carries the fuel from the pump to the fuel dispensers. The double-walled fuel piping contains an inner annular space that carries the fuel and an outer annular space that captures any leaked fuel from the inner annular space. The outer annular space is maintained through the fuel piping from the pump to the fuel dispensers so that the outer annular space can be pressurized by a pump to determine if a leak exists in the outer annular space or so that fuel leaked from the inner annular space can be captured by a leak containment chamber in the pump housing.

A pump housing contains a pump that draws fuel from an underground storage tank to deliver fuel to fuel dispensers in a service station environment. The pump is coupled to a double-walled riser pipe that carries the fuel from the underground storage tank to the pump. The double-walled fuel piping contains an inner space that carries the fuel and an outer annular space that captures any leaked fuel from the inner space. The outer annular space is coupled to a vacuum created by the pump to determine if a leak exists in the outer annular space. An alternate submersible turbine pump has a double-walled housing with a pressure sensor disposed in the interstitial space of the double-walled housing. A vacuum may be created therein to determine if leaks are present in the housing of the submersible turbine pump.

It is an object to provide a tide apparatus comprising a storage tank connected to a underground pit for normally storing water of a constant amount, a connecting pipe for connecting between the underground pit and the storage tank, and a seismograph releasing apparatus formed on the connecting pipe for sensing a shake in an earthquake and for releasing the water stored in the storage tank into the underground pit, wherein the tide plate can protrude upward from the soil foundation face by operating the seismograph releasing apparatus in an earthquake to make the water stored in the storage tank flow into the underground pit via the connecting pipe.

A self-supporting bladder that can be installed into existing storage tanks, particularly into underground storage tanks and a method of forming a double walled tank using the same. This self-supporting bladder serves as the inner wall, utilizing the existing tank as the outer wall of a double wall system, or can provide a double wall system such as through the use of an insert placed in the bladder.

Heating systems and methods of preventing freeze-ups of underground tank systems. In septic underground tank systems, bacteria activity is enhanced by raising the temperature within the bacteria's environment. The preferred heater system includes a thermostatic control unit with a temperature sensor which may be selectively located to sense the temperature within a portion of the underground tank system. The heating systems and methods are particularly useful in mound or drainfield septic systems as well as underground water tanks.

A method and apparatuses to make an in-service measurement of the thickness and corrosion rate of the floor an aboveground or bulk underground storage tank. The preferred method is to use an off-the-shelf ultrasonic sensor that is placed on the end of a staff and inserted into an opening at the top of the tank to make one or more local measurements of the thickness and corrosion rate of the tank floor. When combined with the results of a previous out-of service internal inspection of the floor or an acoustic emission (AE) corrosion activity test performed with a vertical and horizontal array of three or more AE sensors placed on a staff and inserted into the liquid or on the external wall of the tank and show almost no corrosion activity, these local measurements can be used to determine the thickness and corrosion rate for the entire tank floor.

The invention discloses a fresh pick-up cabinet, which is characterized in that it comprises a ground storage cabinet, an underground storage box and a control box, the ground storage cabinet is connected to the underground storage box through a storage passage; a lifting device is arranged in the storage passage , which moves up and down between the ground storage cabinet and the underground storage box; the underground storage box includes several storage compartments, and a refrigeration device is provided in the storage compartment; a controller is provided in the control box, and the controllers are respectively connected to the ground storage compartments. Cabinets, underground storage boxes and lifts. The present invention adjusts the temperature in the storage compartment by installing a refrigeration device in the storage compartment, and is used for the storage of fresh express delivery; the storage box is arranged underground, which saves space and expands the storage space at the same time; and controls the temperature of the express box in the storage compartment Monitor and adjust to realize remote viewing and temperature adjustment of the recipient, which is convenient for users to pick up fresh express.

A vapor pressure equalizer system for reducing the pressure of a storage tank that contains volatile liquid or fuel. A conduit is connected to the storage tank that draws vapors present in the ullage of the storage tank into the conduit. The vapors are circulated through the conduit to cool the vapor and return the vapor to the storage tank. In this manner, the pressure of the storage tank is reduced since the vapors being returned are cooler and smaller in volume than when the vapors entered the conduit. The conduit may be an open system that circulates vapors, or may be a closed system that circulates a cooling media through a radiator in the ullage of the storage tank. An electronic controller controls the operation of the system according to measurements that indicate an overpressure condition or a likelihood of future over-pressurization.

A meter coupled in close proximity to an underground storage tank fuel pipe that delivers fuel from the underground storage tank to fuel dispensers in a service station environment. The meter measures the total amount of fuel drawn from the underground storage tank. The meter may be placed in a submersible turbine pump or in the main conduit that carries fuel to the fuel dispensers. The meter measurement is compared to the meter measurements in the individual fuel dispensers that receive the fuel drawn from the underground storage tank to determine if a discrepancy exists. A discrepancy may be indicative of meter tampering, meter calibration issues, and / or a leak in the fuel pipeline between the underground storage tank and the fuel dispensers. A leak detection test may be automatically performed if such discrepancy exists and / or an alarm condition generated and communicated.

An underground storage tank riser assembly comprises a riser member and at least one riser alignment spacer assembly. The riser member comprises an inferior riser end and an outer riser surface. The outer riser surface at the inferior riser end comprises a plurality of paired, optionally color-coded, curvilinear score indicia. The curvilinear score indicia enable a user to remove paired inferior end portions from the inferior riser end for forming a tank-engaging, saddle-shaped mouth at the inferior riser end. The saddle-shaped mouth comprises a vertical riser radius of curvature substantially equal in magnitude to a determinable tank radius of curvature. The saddle-shaped mouth is engageable with an outer tank surface in radial adjacency to a conduit extending therefrom. The riser alignment spacer assembly functions to center the riser member relative to the conduit.

An alternate construction and method for a magnetostrictive probe intended to be used as a tank monitoring device. Height determination, either water or fuel, is referenced to an ultrasonic pickup assembly located inside the shaft at the foot of the probe. With this inverse approach, height measurement uses the relative geothermal stability of underground storage tanks, or the temperature stability offered by the thermal mass of the fuel, to facilitate a tank level determination. At that new location, the detection circuit is isolated from the effect of magnetic risers, large temperature swings and other undesirable phenomenon that often affect magnetostrictive probe measurements that are referenced to the canister. Aside from its primary use as referred to by this disclosure, this probe could be adapted for any application necessitating precise knowledge of height or distance measurement in relation to the foot of the probe without using a reference magnet.

Disclosed is a system and method for sealing containment sumps used in connection with underground storage tanks. A sump cover sealing system includes an expansion ring assembly adapted to affix to the interior of the sump, and to fastenably attach with the sump cover to removably seal the sump cover to the sump. A contraction band assembly is also provided to affix to the exterior of the sump opposite the expansion ring assembly. Methods of using the system are described. A sump cover with an observation portal is provided.

A fuel storage tank vapor cooler to effect pressure reduction, in a fuel dispensing system, including the application of a refrigeration unit, that operates under the effects of a control unit, sensitive to vapor pressures, and vapor flow, to initiate the operations of the refrigeration unit, and effecting, through a properly located heat exchanger, a reduction in the temperature of the stored vapors, and thereby reducing its incident pressure. Such heat exchangers may be located either within the vapor storage area of the underground storage tank, the heat exchanger may locate in cooperation with the vapor return line, to the underground storage tank, or it may be located within the vent line from the storage tank, to chill the vapors and thereby provide for a reduction in their pressure. Such heat exchangers may be used in combination, or individually, whatever is determined to obtain the results as desired from the system of this invention.

The invention discloses a combined system underground initial rainwater storage tank. The storage tank comprises a natural water drain unit and a buffering storage unit which are arranged in the water flow direction and communicated. The natural water drain unit comprises a first buffering tank and a first automatic water power gate arranged in the first buffering tank and normally closed. A water inlet pipe is arranged on the upstream of the first automatic water power gate in the first buffering tank, and a natural water drain opening is formed in the downstream of the first automatic water power gate. The buffering storage unit comprises a second buffering tank communicated with the first buffering tank and an underground storage tank. The second buffering tank and the underground storage tank are communicated through a second automatic water power gate normally closed. On the premise of ensuring the maximum treatment capacity of a sewage treatment plant, initial rainwater is collected into the storage tank, later-stage rainwater is drained to natural water, pollution caused by direct drainage of the initial rainwater and overflow pollution can be effectively prevented, and the initial rainwater storage tank is simple in structure, low in cost, and capable of being controlled automatically without manual operation, and stores the rainwater safely and reliably.

An underground storage tank is lined in situ by first clearing the inner surface of the tank using water jetting. The surface is then inspected and grit blasted. A corrosion barrier coating in the form of glass flakeepoxy resin is applied to a minimum dry film thickness of 1000 microns. An adhesive is applied to the barrier coating and sheets of an HDPE interstitial grid are bonded to the adhesive forming an air gap of about 5 mm. A pliable glass reinforced plastic layer is laid upon the grid. The GRP material is exposed to UV lamps to form an impermeable shell within the tank. A surface coating layer may be applied. A leak detector is installed in the interstitial space defined by the grid.

The present invention provides an underground tank having a vessel assembly and a generally spaced access assembly. That is, the access assembly includes a fuel line, a withdrawal line, and a dome assembly. The fuel line and the withdrawal line have a first end disposed outside the vessel assembly and a second end disposed adjacent to or within the vessel assembly. The first end extends upwardly from the vessel assembly toward the ground surface. The dome assembly is coupled adjacent to the fuel and withdrawal line first end. As such, the vessel assembly may be buried at any depth as the fuel and withdrawal lines may have any length.

The present discloses an alternate construction and method for a magnetostrictive probe intended to be used as a tank monitoring device. Height determination, either water or fuel, is referenced to an ultrasonic pickup assembly located inside the shaft at the foot of the probe. With this inverse approach, height measurement takes advantage of the relative geothermal stability of underground storage tanks, or the temperature stability offered by the thermal mass of the fuel, to facilitate a more accurate tank level determination. At that new location, the detection circuit gains the added benefits of being isolated from the effect of magnetic risers, large temperature swings and other undesirable phenomenon that often affect magnetostrictive probe measurements that are referenced to the canister. Aside from its primary use as referred to by this disclosure, this probe could be adapted for any application necessitating precise knowledge of height or distance measurement in relation to the foot of the probe without using a reference magnet.

Training system software is operable on a digital computer for providing training to operator trainees of underground storage tank containing facilities. The software is capable of delivering facility specific training materials specifically applicable to an operator-trainee's designated facility. The software includes generic content component training materials for providing training applicable to a plurality of facilities including the operator trainee's designated facility. The software also includes at least two sets of regional content component training materials. Each of the at least two sets provide training applicable to at least two, but less than the plurality of facilities to which the generic content component is applicable; and at least one of the sets includes regional content material applicable to the designated facility of the operator-trainer. Additionally, the software includes at least four sets of facility specific component training materials. Each of the at least four sets includes facility specific content material applicable to a single facility, and one of the at least four sets includes facility specific content material applicable to the operator trainee's designated facility.