spanoia Intersttval Liquid Sensing in Fuel Systems ~ Automation Wiki Interstitial Liquid Sensing in Fuel Systems From AutomationWiki Contents = 1 General Background = 2 Interstitial Space Monitoring Methods = 2.1 Hydrostatic Interstitial Monitoring = 2.2 Applying and Maintaining the Pressure in the Interstice (For Piping) = 2.3 Applying and Maintaining the Vacuum in the Interstice = 24 Liquid Detecting Sensors = 3 References General Background Interstitial Liquid Sensing is mainly relates to the double-wall, Underground Storage Tank Systems. The Underground Storage Tank systems are referred to as UST (for short). These UST Systems usually employed to store fuel or certain hazardous substanc According to United States Environmental Protection Agency, a UST System is a tank and any underground piping associated with it, which has 10 percent of its combined volume underground. In double-wall UST system, the main storage tank is surrounded by the secondary tank creating an interstice (or an empty space between the two tanks with different diameters, installed co-axially) in-between. ‘The advantage of using double-wall systems is that in case of the leakage in the primary (main) storage tank, even if the liquid (fuel or hazardous substance) comes out it will be still collected in the outer secondary tank and thus, the liquid will not penetrate in to the ground and consequently, groundwater contamination does not take place. However, it is very much important to detect the leakage of the fuel from the main primary tank itself, because once the interstitial space is full, the fuel is going to flow out to the surrounding area and it then starts penetrating into the ground. In United States of America, to address a nationwide problem of leaking USTs, in 1984 congress added subtitle I to the Solid Waste Disposal Act through the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments and Created a federal program to regulate USTs containing petroleum and hazardous chemicals to limit corrosion and structural defects and thus minimize future tank leaks hitpautomationwikcomvindex ppinersttial_Liquid_Sensing_in_Fuel Systems 16sieaizor9 Incersttal Liquid Sensing in Fuel Systems - Automation Wik In 1984, the US congress also directed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set operating requirements and technical standards for tank design and installation, leak detection, spill and overfill control, corrective action and ‘tank closure. Since then, in the following years, the regulations became more stringent from time to time and as a result, it became mandatory for the operators of the sites with USTs to employ efficient techniques and methods for tank design and installation, leak detection, spill and overfill control, corrective actions and tank closure. Leak detection is a very important aspect of the monitoring of USTs. In case of Double-walled USTs, the continuous monitoring of the interstitial space between the two co-axial tanks is carried out in order to be able to detect any possible leakage in the main fuel containing tank. Interstitial Space Monitoring Methods Here, four main methods are explained, which are employed to continuously monitor the interstitial space between the two co-axial tanks in Double-wall fuel storage systems, in order to carry out efficient and timely detection of any possible leakages. 1. Hydrostatic Interstitial Monitoring 2. Applying and maintaining the Pressure in the Interstice 3. Applying and maintaining the Vacuum in the Interstice 4, Installation of a liquid detecting sensor in a dry interstice Hydrostatic Interstitial Monitoring In this method, a monitoring liquid is filled in the interstice surrounding the (inner) main fuel tank, This liquid is mainly Calcium Chloride brine. This monitoring liquid has a hydrostatic head at least 12” higher than any level of fuel in the tank, including a 100% full tank. And also this interstitial monitoring liquid has the specific gravity approximately 30% heavier than the stored fuel itself. This ensures that the higher fluid pressure always exists on the interstice side, ie. outer side of the primary fuel storage tank. Therefore, in case, if any breach develops in the wall of primary fuel storage tank, the interstitial monitoring liquid drains into the primary tank due to hydrostatic pressure. So, fuel never leaks out into the interstice even if the breach is developed in the wall of primary fuel storage tank. As a result of breach in the wall of the primary fuel storage tank, the level of interstitial monitoring liquid (brine) decreases and any excessive change in the level of this interstitial monitoring liquid triggers an alarm condition. On the other hand, if there develops any breach in the wall of the outer (secondary) tank, the interstitial monitoring liquid drains out into the soil and this lowers the level of the interstitial liquid, but it is harmless to the soil, so that will not be a serious concern. If there exists high level of groundwater at the site, in case of outer tank wall breach, the interstitial liquid either drains out of the interstice into the groundwater lowering its level in the interstice or the outer groundwater may force its way into the interstice increasing the interstitial liquid level in the intersti hitpautomationwikcomvindex ppinersttial_Liquid_Sensing_in_Fuel Systems 25sieaizor9 Incersttal Liquid Sensing in Fuel Systems - Automation Wik In case of high groundwater level, which scenario occurs, i.e., whether interstitial liquid drains out into the groundwater or the groundwater penetrates into the interstice, depends upon which fluid is under higher pressure. However, in any case, there will be a change in the level of interstitial liquid and any excessive change in the level triggers an alarm condition. Following companies manufaeture the sensor models which employ this operating principle: Veeder-Root, Ameron International, Containment Solutions Ine., Western Fiberglass, Xerxes Corp. Applying and Maintaining the Pressure in the Interstice (For Piping) This method is employed for the double-walled piping. Here, Pressurized Nitrogen gas is utilized to continuously maintain the overpressure in the interstitial space of double-walled piping. The system is able to detect the possible breach in both the inner and outer wall of the double-walled piping. The system activates a visual and acoustic alarm before the stored product can leak into the surrounding environment. SGB GmbH Manufactures the sensor models which work on this operating principle. Applying and Maintaining the Vacuum in the Interstice In this method, the vacuum is generated by turbine pump to continuously maintain a partial vacuum within the interstitial space of double-walled USTs or double-walled piping. The system activates a visual and acoustic alarm, and optional turbine pump shutdown before the stored product can leak into the surrounding environment. The system is able to detect the possible breach in both the inner and outer wall of the double-walled UST or piping. Alarm condition is triggered when a liquid (in case of inner wall breach) or air (in case of outer wall breach) leak occurs which causes the interstitial vacuum to decrease (pressure to increase) and the system is not able to maintain minimum vacuum. System will also alarm if liquid is detected in the interstitial space, or if the vacuum level in the interstitial space decreases at a rate exceeding the “defined limit’ given by the supplier Following companies manufacture the sensor models which employ this operating principle: Veeder-Root, Franklin Fueling, OPW Fuel Management Systems, SGB GmbII uid Detecting Sensors In this method, the liquid detecting sensors are installed in the dry interstice and they detect the presence of any liquid in this interstice and on sensing any liquid, i.c. in case of leakage, they trigger alarm condition, ‘Veeder-Root manufactures the sensor models which employ this operating principle, the sensor models include; hitpautomationwikcomvindex ppinersttial_Liquid_Sensing_in_Fuel Systems 35spanoia Intersttval Liquid Sensing in Fuel Systems ~ Automation Wiki Discriminating Interstitial Sensor for Double-wall Fiberglass Tanks They use solid-state liquid level sensing technology to detect liquid in the interstitial space of the tank. They can also differentiate between hydrocarbons and other liquids. They detect the presence of liquid in the interstitial space of the fiberglass tanks. Sensor for Double-Wall Fiberglass Tanks - High Alcohi solid-state liquid level sensing technology to detect liquid in the interstitial space of the fiberglass tank tank —High Alcohol application. Interstitial Sensors for Steel Tanks They detect the presence of liquid in the interstitial space of the steel tanks. Interstitial Sensors for Steel Tanks - High Alcohol They detect the presence of liquid in the interstitial space between the steel tanks — High Alcohol application. It is designed to detect the presence of liquid in the interstitial space of a steel tank or fill riser containment, References 1, Underground Storage Tanks, US-EPA, Available online at http://www.epa.gov/oust/aboutust.htm 2. History of the Federal Underground Storage Tank Program, US-EPA, Available online at http://www.epa.gov/oust/fags/genesis 1 htm 3. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS about Secondary Containment Operation and Maintenance Requirements for UST Systems and Components Installed or Replaced after November |, 2007, North Carolina Division of Waste Management, Available online at http://nedent.gov/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=£707¢619- bdac-4f5f-8b12-d9 1de6b9335b&groupld-38361 4. A Monitoring & Operating Safety Approach For Underground Liquid Motor Fuel Systems, Risk Mitigation Consulting LLC, Available online at http://Avww.tisk- mitigation.net/MONITORING%208%200PERATING%20SAFETY.htm 5. Pressure/Vacuum Interstitial Monitor by Veeder-Root, UST Program, Available at hitp://hwww.swreb.ca.gov/ust/leak_prevention/Igl 13/misc/topics_lg113_vph_methods_8_13_04.shtml hitpautomationwikcomvindex ppinersttial_Liquid_Sensing_in_Fuel Systems 45spanoia Intersttval Liquid Sensing in Fuel Systems ~ Automation Wiki 6, Continuous Interstitial Line Monitoring Method (Pressure/Vacuum) by SGB GmbH, UST Program, Available online at http://www.swreb.ca.gov/ust/leak_prevention/Ig! 13/vendors/sgb_a.shtml 7. Acceptable Vacuum, Pressure, and Hydrostatic Monitoring Methods, UST Program, available online at http://hwww.swreb.ca.gov/ust/leak_prevention/Ig113/mise/topics_lg113_vph_methods_8_13_04.shtml 8, Sensor Products — Application Guide, Manual No: 577013-750, Veeder-Root, Available online at www.veeder.com/object/577013-750.html Retrieved from "http://automationwiki.com/index.php? title=Interstitial_Liquid_Sensing_in_Fuel_Systems&coldid=9030" © This page was last edited on 8 February 2012, at 03:13. MediaWiki spam blocked by CleanTalk. hitpautomationwikcomvindex ppinersttial_Liquid_Sensing_in_Fuel Systems 55