Volumetric leak detection system for underground storage tanks and the like

• US 4,852,054 A
• Filed: 11/18/1987
• Issued: 07/25/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tanknology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: NDE Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Mastandrea, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lall, Parshotam S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dixon, Joseph L.
• Application Number:
  US07/122,284
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 364/150, 364/151, 364/497, 364/507-509, 364/550-551, 364/556, 364/571, 364/580, 73/1 H, 73/4 R, 73/40, 73/49.1-49.3, 73/49.5, 73/52, 73/149, 340/605
• US Class Current: 702/51
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/18 Indicating, recording or alarm devices actuated electrically
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/60 using electrically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/3245 using a level monitoring device G01M3/3272 takes precedence

Abstract

Method and apparatus for detecting leaks in underground tanks containing a liquid. The pressure and temperature of the liquid are measured over a predetermining time interval, while simultaneously measuring the liquid level in the tank and the temperature of the liquid therein. From each measuring step the leak rate of the liquid from the tank is calculated and the two calculated leak rates are compared with each other. The temperature at a series of different depths in the tank is measured. Other measurements are made and fed to a suitable computer which computes the leakage rate.

Claims

1. A method for detecting and measuring leaks in an underground container such as a tank and piping containing a liquid, comprising:

measuring the pressure and temperature of the liquid over a predetermining time interval,

simultaneously measuring the liquid level in the container and the temperature of the liquid therein over the same predetermined time interval,

calculating from each said measuring step the leak rate of the liquid from said container, and

comparing the two calculated leak rates with each other.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the two simultaneous measuring steps include measuring the temperature at a series of different depths in said container.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the pressure and the liquid level are measured at respective loci;

including measuring the temperature also at the locus where the pressure is measured and at the locus where the liquid level is measured and including those measurements in said calculating steps.

4. The method of claim 1 including determining the specific gravity of the liquid and including it in said calculating step.

5. Apparatus for detecting and measuring leaks in an underground container, such as a tank or piping containing a liquid, comprising:

pressure sensing means for measuring the pressure of the liquid over a predetermined time interval,

first temperature sensing means for simultaneously measuring the temperature of said liquid over said time interval,

second temperature sensing means for simultaneously sensing the ambient temperature over said time interval, and

level sensing means for simultaneously measuring the level of the liquid in the container over said time interval.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 having

computer means for calculating from data obtained from all of said means the leak rate of the liquid from said container.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 having

third temperature sensing means for simultaneously measuring the temperature of said pressure sensing means over said predetermined time interval,

fourth temperature sensing means for simultaneously measuring the temperature of said level sensing means over said predetermined interval, and

means for supplying said temperature sensed by said third and fourth means to said computer means.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 having hydrometer means for measuring the specific gravity of said liquid for use by said computer means.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said container includes a fill pipe at its upper end and inclinometer means for measuring the inclination of said fill pipe and container for use by said computer means.

10. Apparatus according to claim 5 having digital monitoring means for manual recovery of the data from each of said means.

11. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein first temperature sensing means comprises a series of thermistors located at different depths in said container.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the series of thermistors are located at spaced intervals along a cable and weight secured to the bottom of said cable.

13. Apparatus for detecting and measuring leaks from an underground tank having a fill pipe at an upper end thereof and having other pipes connected thereto, and containing a liquid that extends up into said fill pipe, comprising:

a test instrumentation assembly of test elements,

conductor means attached to the elements of said test instrumentation assembly,

data acquisition means connected to said conductor means,

digital computer means connected to and controlling said data acquisition unit and having timing means, a memory and an output, and

recording means connected to said output,

said instrumentation assembly including;

first liquid level measuring means for measuring the level of liquid in said tank and for sending an analog signal thereof to said data acquisition means,

first temperature sensing means attached to said first liquid level measuring means for monitoring its temperature thereof and for transmitting to said computer the value thereof,

second liquid level measuring means contained in an evaporation level monitoring tube containing tank liquid, for measuring continuously the liquid level in the monitoring tube, at a height slightly above the liquid level in said tank, and for sending an analog signal thereof to said computer,

second temperature sensing means attached to said second liquid level measuring means for monitoring its temperature and transmitting to said computer the value thereof,

third temperature sensing means for measuring the ambient air temperature adjacent to said tank and transmitting the value thereof to said computer, and

a plurality of temperature sensor and probe means for measuring the temperatures in the tank liquid at a plurality of locations, and for sending those temperatures to said computer,

said computer having means for computing the tank leakage from the information provided by the elements recited above.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 including first pressure measuring means for measuring continuously the pressure of the liquid at a locus in said tank and for sending an analog signal thereof to said computer,

fourth temperature sensing means attached to said pressure measuring means for measuring its temperature and transmitting to said computer the value thereof, and

second pressure measuring means for continuously measuring atmospheric pressure adjacent said tank and for sending an analog signal thereof to said computer.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 including hydrometer means for measuring the specific gravity of the tank liquid for entry into said data acquisition means.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 including inclinometer means for measuring the inclination angle of the tank fill pipe and tank for entry into said data acquisition unit.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 including displacement calibrator means for determining the proportion of volumetric displacement of said liquid into said fill pipe relative to that into said other pipes connected to said tank.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 having a liquid circulation system for circulating liquid in said tank to assure that after said tank has been filled with liquid at a temperature different from that of the liquid already in the tank, the liquid can be circulated until the temperature of the liquid in the tank is substantially uniform.

19. Apparatus for detecting and measuring leaks from an underground tank having a fill pipe at an upper end thereof and having other pipes connected thereto, and containing a liquid that extends up into said fill pipe, comprising:

a test instrumentation assembly of test elements,

conductor means attached to the elements of said test instrumentation assembly,

data acquisition means connected to said conductor means,

digital computer means connected to and controlling said data acquisition unit and having timing means, a memory and an output, and

recording means connected to said output,

said instrumentation assembly including;

first liquid level measuring means for measuring the level of liquid in said tank and for sending an analog signal thereof to said data acquisition means,

first temperature sensing means attached to said first liquid level measuring means for monitoring its temperature thereof and for transmitting to said computer the value thereof,

second liquid level measuring means contained in an evaporation level monitoring tube containing tank liquid, for measuring the liquid level in the monitoring tube, at a height slightly above the liquid level in said tank,

second temperature sensing means for measuring the ambient air temperature adjacent to said tank and transmitting the value thereof to said computer, and

a plurality of temperature sensors and a plurality of probe means for measuring the temperatures in the tank liquid at a plurality of locations, and for sending those temperatures to said computer,

said computer having means for computing the tank leakage from the information provided by the elements recited above.

20. Apparatus for detecting and measuring leaks from an underground tank having a fill pipe at an upper end thereof and having other pipes connected thereto, and containing a liquid that extends up into said fill pipe, comprising:

a test instrumentation assembly of test elements,

conductor means attached to the elements of said test instrumentation assembly, and

digital monitoring means for manual recovery of the data obtained by said assembly,

said instrumentation assembly including;

first liquid level measuring means for measuring the liquid level of liquid in said tank and for sending an analog signal thereof to said digital monitoring means,

first temperature sensing means attached to said first liquid level measuring means for monitoring its temperature thereof and for transmitting to said digital monitoring means the value thereof,

second liquid level measuring means contained in an evaporation level monitoring tube for containing tank liquid, for measuring continuously the liquid level in the monitoring tube, at a height slightly above the liquid level in said tank, and for sending an analog thereof to said digital monitoring means,

second temperature sensing means attached to said second liquid level measuring means for monitoring its temperature and transmitting to said digital monitoring means the value thereof,

third temperature sensing means for measuring the ambient air temperature adjacent to said tank and transmitting the value thereof to said digital monitoring means, and

a plurality of temperature sensors and a plurality of probe means for measuring the temperatures in the tank liquid at a plurality of locations, and for sending those temperatures to said digital monitoring means.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 including first pressure measuring means for measuring continuously the pressure of the liquid and for sending an analog signal thereof to said digital monitoring means,

fourth temperature sensing means attached to said pressure measuring means for measuring its temperature and transmitting to said digital monitoring means the value thereof, and

second pressure measuring means for measuring atmospheric pressure adjacent said tank and for sending an analog signal thereof to said digital monitoring means.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 including hydrometer means for measuring the specific gravity of the tank liquid for entry into said data acquisition means.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 including inclinometer means for measuring the inclination angle of the tank fill pipe for entry into said data acquisition unit.

24. The apparatus of claim 20 including displacement calibrator means for determining the proportion of volumetric displacement of said liquid into said fill pipe relative to that into said other pipes connected to said tank.

25. Apparatus for detecting and measuring leaks from underground tanks having a fill pipe at an upper end thereof and having other pipes connected thereto, and containing a liquid that extends up into said fill pipe, comprising:

a test instrumentation assembly of test elements,

conductor means attached to the elements of said test instrumentation assembly,

data acquisition means connected to said conductor means,

digital computer means connected to and controlling said data acquisition unit and having timing means, a memory, and an output, and

recording means connected to said output,

said instrumentation assembly including;

first liquid level measuring means for measuring the level of liquid in said tank and for sending an analog signal thereof to said data acquisition means,

first temperature sensing means attached to said first liquid level measuring means for monitoring its temperature and for transmitting to said computer the value thereof,

second light level measuring means contained in an evaporation level monitoring tube containing tank liquid, for measuring continuously the liquid level in the monitoring tube, at a height slightly above the liquid level in said tank, and for sending an analog signal thereof to said computer,

second temperature sensing means attached to said second liquid level measuring means for monitoring its temperature and transmitting to said computer the value thereof,

first pressure measuring means for measuring continuously the pressure of the liquid and for sending an analog signal thereof to said computer,

third temperature sensing means attached to said pressure measuring means for measuring its temperature and transmitting to said computer the value thereof,

second pressure measuring means for measuring atmospheric pressure adjacent said tank and for sending an analog signal thereof to said computer,

fourth temperature sensing means for measuring the ambient air temperature adjacent to said tank and transmitting the value thereof to said computer, and

a plurality of temperature sensor and probe means for measuring the temperatures in the tank liquid at a plurality of locations, and for sending those temperatures to said computer,

said computer having means for computing the tank leakage from the information provided by the elements recited above.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said plurality of temperature sensors and a plurality of probe means are arrayed at a series of vertically spaced said locations in said tank.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said temperature sensors and a plurality of probe means comprises a cable havig weighting means at its lower end to assure extension thereof at its full length.

28. The apparatus of claim 25 having hydrometer means for measuring the specific gravity of the tank liquid for entry into said data acquisition means.

29. The apparatus of claim 25 having inclinometer means for measuring the inclination angle of the tank fill pipe for entry into said data acquisition unit.

30. The apparatus of claim 25 including displacement calibrator means for determining the proportion of volumetric displacement of said liquid into said fill pipe relative to that into said other pipes connected to said tank.

31. The apparatus of claim 25 including

means for measuring the ground water level just outside said tank, and

means for locating the liquid level at a given height above said ground water level.

32. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said test instrument assembly comprises a cylindrical test pipe open at its ends enclosing said assembly, each of said named element of said assembly having an enclosure pipe of its own inside said test pipe, each said enclosure pipe being cylindrical and open at both ends.

33. Apparatus for detecting and measuring leaks from underground tanks having a fill pipe at an upper end thereof and having other pipes connected thereto, and containing a liquid that extends up into said fill pipe, comprising:

a test instrumentation assembly of test elements,

a multiconductor electronic cable assembly with cables connected to the elements of said test instrumentation assembly,

a computer-controlled data acquisition unit connected to said cable assembly,

a digital computer connected to and controlling said data acquisition unit and having timing means, a memory, and an output, and

recording means connected to said output,

the elements of said instrumentation assembly including

first linear variable displacement transducer and float means for measuring the level of liquid in said tank by vertical float movement, for converting the float movement to an electrical output voltage proportional to that movement and for sending said voltage through said cable assembly via said data acquisition unit to said computer,

first temperature sensing means attached to said first linear variable displacement transducer and float means for monitoring the temperature thereof and for transmitting it through said cable assembly,

evaporation level measurement means having an evaporation level monitoring tube, and

second linear variable displacement transducer and float means for measuring continuously the liquid level in the monitoring tube, for converting the float movement thereof to an electrical output signal in volts, and for sending the voltage through the cable assembly via said data acquisition unit to said computer,

second temperature sensing means attached to said second linear variable displacement transducer and float means for monitoring the temperature thereof and for transmitting it to said computer, and

a plurality of temperature sensors and probe means for measuring the temperatures in the tank liquid at a plurality of vertically spaced locations, and for sending the temperatures to said computer,

said computer having means for computing tank leakage from the information provided by the elements recited above.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 including

first pressure transducer and probe means for measuring continuously the pressure exerted in said liquid and the pressure difference between two locations in said liquid, for converting the sensed pressure to an electrical output signal in volts, proportional to the measured pressure and pressure difference, and for sending the resulting voltage via said cable to said computer, and

third temperature sensing means attached to said pressure transducer and probe means for measuring the temperature thereof and for sending that information to said computer,

second pressure transducer means for measuring atmospheric pressure adjacent said tank, for converting the value thereof to voltage, and for sending that voltage to said computer,

fourth temperature sensing means for measuring ambient air temperature adjacent to said tank and sending a value thereof to said computer.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 having

hydrometer means for measuring the specific gravity of the tank liquid, and

means for entering said specific gravity in said computer.

36. The apparatus of claim 34 having

inclinometer means for measuring the inclination angle of the tank fill pipe, and

means for entering the value of that angle in said computer.

37. The apparatus of claim 34 including displacement calibrator means contained in a displacement calibrator tube for determining the proportion of volumetric displacement of said liquid into said fill pipe relative to that in said other pipes connected to said tank.

38. The apparatus of claim 34 including means for measuring the ground water level just outside said tank and means for locating the liquid level at a given height above said ground water level.

39. Apparatus for detecting and measuring leaks from underground tanks having a fill pipe at an upper end thereof and having other pipes connected thereto, and containing a liquid that extends up into said fill pipe, comprising:

a test instrumentation assembly of test elements,

a multiconductor electronic cable assembly connected to the elements of said test instrumentation assembly,

a computer-controlled data acquisition unit connected to said cable assembly,

a digital computer connected to and controlling said data acquisition unit and having timing means, a memory, and an output,

recording means connected to said output,

hydrometer means for measuring the specific gravity of the tank liquid,

means for entering said specific gravity into said computer, and

inclinometer means for measuring the inclination angle of the tank fill pipe,

means for entering the value of that angle into said computer,

the elements of said instrumentation assembly including

first linear variable displacement transducer and float means for measuring the level of liquid in said tank by vertical float movement, for converting the float movement to an electrical output voltage proportional to that movement and for sending said voltage through said cable assembly via said data acquisition unit to said computer,

first temperature sensing means attached to said first linear variable displacement transducer and float means for monitoring the temperature thereof and for transmitting it through said cable assembly,

evaporation level measurement means having an evaporation level monitoring tube, and

second linear variable displacement transducer and float means for measuring continuously the liquid level in the monitoring tube, for converting the float movement thereof to an electrical output signal in volts, and for sending the voltage through the cable assembly via said data acquisition unit to said computer,

second temperature sensing means attached to said second linear variable displacement transducer and float means for monitoring the temperature thereof and for transmitting it to said computer,

first pressure transducer and probe means for measuring continuously the pressure exerted in said liquid and the pressure difference between two locations in said liquid, for converting the sensed pressure to an electrical output signal in volts, proportional to the measured pressure and pressure difference, and for sending the resulting voltage via said cable to said computer,

third temperature sensing means attached to said pressure transducer and probe means for measuring the temperature thereof and for sending that information to said computer,

second pressure transducer means for measuring atmospheric pressure adjacent said tank, for converting the value thereof to voltage, and for sending that voltage to said computer,

third temperature sensing means for measuring ambient air temperature adjacent to said tank and sending a value thereof to said computer,

a plurality of temperature sensor and probe means for measuring the temperatures in the tank liquid at a plurality of locations, and for sending the temperatures to said computer,

displacement calibrator means contained in a displacement calibrator tube for determining the proportion of volumetric displacement of said liquid into said fill pipe relative to that in said other pipes connected to said tank,

means for measuring the ground water level just outside said tank, and

means for locating the liquid level at a given height above said ground water level,

said computer having means for computing tank leakage from the information provided by the elements recited above.

40. Apparatus for detecting and measuring leaks from underground tanks having a fill pipe at an upper end thereof and having other pipes connected thereto, and containing a liquid that extends up into said fill pipe, comprising:

a test pipe,

a test instrumentation assembly of elements contained in said test pipe,

a multiconductor electronic cable assembly with cables connected to the elements of said test instrumentation assembly,

a computer-controlled data acquisition unit connected to said cable assembly,

a digital computer connected to and controlling said data acquisition unit and having timing means, a memory, and an output,

an integral plotter and a printer connected to said output,

hydrometer means for measuring the specific gravity of the tank liquid and for passing the measured value to said data acquisition unit, and

inclinometer means for measuring the inclination angle of the tank fill pipe and for passing the value of that angle to said data acquisition unit,

said instrumentation assembly including;

(a) first linear variable displacement transducer and float means connected to said cable assembly for measuring the level of liquid in said tank by vertical float movement, for converting the float movement to an electrical output voltage proportional to the vertical float movement, and for sending said voltage through said cable assembly to said data acquisition unit and said computer, wherein changes in liquid level are measured to an accuracy of at least 0.00001 inch,

(b) first temperature sensing means attached to said first linear variable displacement transducer and float means and connected to said cable assembly, for monitoring the temperature thereof and for transmitting to said computer the value thereof,

(c) an evaporation level monitoring tube adjacent to said fill pipe and above the liquid level in said tank,

(d) second linear variable displacement transducer and float means for evaporation level measurement, contained in said evaporation level monitoring tube and connected to said cable assembly, for measuring continuously the liquid level in the monitoring tube, for converting the float movement thereof to an electrical output signal in volts and sending the voltage through the cable assembly to said data acquisition unit and said computer, wherein said evaporation liquid level changes are measured to an accuracy at least 0.00001 inch,

(e) second temperature sensing means, attached to said second linear variable displacement transducer and float means and connected to said cable assembly, for monitoring the temperature thereof and for transmitting it via said cable assembly to said computer,

(f) first pressure transducer and probe means connected to said cable assembly, for measuring continuously the pressure of the liquid, said pressure transducer and probe means having a sensing face located above the liquid and connected to a hollow pressure monitoring tube, the bottom end of which is placed at a fixed location in the liquid, said first pressure transducer and probe means measuring the pressure difference between said bottom end of said hollow tube and said sensing face, for converting the sensed pressure values to an electrical output signal in volts, proportional to said pressure values, and for sending the resulting voltage via said cable and said data acquisition unit to said computer,

(g) third temperature sensing means attached to said pressure transducer and probe means and to said cable assembly for measuring the temperature thereof and for sending the temperature via said cable assembly to said computer,

(h) second pressure transducer means attached to said cable assembly for measuring atmospheric pressure adjacent said tank, for converting the value thereof to voltage, and for sending that voltage to said computer via said cable assembly,

both said first pressure transducer and probe means and said second pressure transducer measuring pressures to within 0.0001 p.s.i.,

(i) third temperature sensing means attached to said cable assembly, for measuring ambient air temperature adjacent to said tank and sending a value thereof to said computer, via said cable means,

(j) a plurality of temperature sensors and a plurality of probe means connected to said cable assembly, for measuring the temperatures in the tank liquid at a plurality of locations for sending those temperatures to said computer,

wherein all of said temperature sensing means and said temperature sensor and probe means measure to an accuracy of 0.001°

F., and

(k) a displacement calibrator tube containing displacement calibrator means for determining the proportion of volumetric displacement of said liquid into said fill pipe relative to that in said other pipes connected to said tank,

said computer having means for computing tank leakage from the information provided by the elements recited above.

41. A test instrumentation assembly of test elements, for detecting leaks from underground tanks having a fill pipe at an upper end thereof and and containing a liquid that extends up into said fill pipe, comprising

a test pipe comprising a cylinder open at both ends, for fitting in said fill pipe and containing each of the following elements:

first linear variable displacement transducer and float means for measuring the level of liquid in said tank by vertical float movement and for converting the float movement to an electrical output voltage proportional to that movement,

first temperature sensing means attached to said first linear variable displacement transducer and float means for monitoring the temperature thereof and for producing an electrical output voltage proportional thereto,

evaporation level measurement means contained in an evaporation level monitoring tube,

second linear variable displacement transducer and float means for measuring continuously the liquid level in the monitoring tube and for converting the float movement thereof to an electrical output voltage,

second temperature sensing means attached to said second linear variable displacement transducer and float means for monitoring the temperature thereof and for producing an electrical output voltage therefrom, and

a plurality of temperature sensors and a plurality of probe means extending down through the lower end of said test pipe for measuring the temperatures in the tank liquid at a plurality of vertically spaced locations, and for producing an electrical output voltage therefrom.

43. The apparatus of claim 41 having hydrometer means for measuring the specific gravity of said liquid.

44. The apparatus of claim 41 having inclinometer means for measuring the inclination of said fill pipe and the tank.

45. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said tank has additional piping and displacement calibration means for determining the proportion of volumetric displacement into said fill pipe relative to that into said additional piping.

42. The apparatus of claim 42 having first pressure transducer and probe means for measuring continuously the pressure exerted in said liquid and for converting the sensed pressure to an electrical output signal voltage, proportional to the measured pressure and pressure difference,

third temperature sensing means attached to said pressure transducer and probe means for measuring the temperature thereof and for producing an electrical voltage therefrom,

second pressure transducer means for measuring atmospheric pressure adjacent said tank and for converting the value thereof to voltage, and

fourth temperature sensing means for measuring ambient air temperature adjacent to said tank and producing an electrical output voltage therefrom.

46. Apparatus for use in detecting leaks from underground tanks having a fill pipe at an upper end thereof and containing a liquid that extends up into said fill pipe, comprising:

a cylindrical test pipe open at an upper end and at a lower end and fitting in said fill pipe,

a test instrumentation assembly of elements contained in said test pipe and comprising

(a) first linear variable displacement transducer and float means for measuring the level of liquid in said tank to an accuracy of at least 0.1 inch, by vertical float movement and for converting the float movement to an electrical output voltage proportional to the vertical float movement,

(b) first temperature sensing means attached to said first linear variable displacement transducer and float means for monitoring the temperature thereof and for converting that temperature to an electrical output voltage,

(c) an evaporation level monitoring tube adjacent to said fill pipe and above the liquid level in said tank,

(d) second linear variable displacement transducer and float means for evaporation level measurement, contained in said evaporation level monitoring tube for measuring continuously the liquid level in the monitoring tube to an accuracy at least 0.1 inch, and for converting the float movement thereof to an electrical output signal in volts,

(e) second temperature sensing means, attached to said second linear variable displacement transducer and float means for monitoring the temperature thereof and for converting the temperature to electrical output voltage, and

(f) a plurality of temperature, sensors and a plurality of probe means for measuring the temperatures in the tank liquid at a plurality of vertically spaced locations and for converting those temperatures to voltage outputs,

all of said temperature sensing means and said temperature sensors and probe means measuring to an accuracy of 0.005°

F.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 having, in addition

(g) first pressure transducer and probe means for measuring continuously the pressure of the liquid, said pressure transducer and probe means having a sensing face located above the liquid and connected to a hollow pressure monitoring tube, the bottom end of which is placed at a fixed location in the liquid, said first pressure transducer and probe means measuring the pressure difference between said bottom end of said hollow tube and said sensing face and for converting the sensed pressure values to an electrical voltage output,

(h) third temperature sensing means attached to said pressure transducer and probe means and to said cable assembly for measuring the temperature thereof and for converting it to an electrical voltage output,

(i) second pressure transducer means for measuring atmospheric pressure adjacent said tank and for converting the value thereof to voltage,

both said pressure transducer and probe means measuring pressures to within 0.002 p.s.i., and

(j) fourth temperature sensing means for measuring ambient air temperature adjacent to said tank and converting that temperature to an output voltage.

48. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the accuracy of said first and second linear variable displacement transducer is to at least 0.00001 inch,

the accuracy of said pressure transducer means is to at least 0.00005 p.s.i., and

the accuracy of said temperature sensing means and sensors is to at least 0.0001°

F.

49. The apparatus of claim 46 having hydrometer means for measuring the specific gravity of said liquid.

50. The apparatus of claim 46 having inclinometer means for measuring the inclination of said fill pipe.

51. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said tank has additional piping and displacement calibration means for determining the proportion of volumetric displacement into said fill pipe relative to that into said additional piping.

52. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein each of said assembly elements includes and is at least partially contained in a rigid tube.

53. A method for obtaining the rate of leakage from an underground tank having a known liquid therein at a predetermined starting level, comprising:

calculating a reference volume of the tank from the dimensions of the tank,

measuring the average temperature of the liquid in the tank,

obtaining a temperature correction factor from said average temperature and the temperature coefficient of expansion of said liquid,

measuring the linear displacement of the liquid level with respect to time, over a predetermined time interval, and

calculating the tank leakage rate from said reference volume, said linear displacement, said time interval, and said temperature factor.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein said tank has piping connected thereto including the steps of:

displacing a known volume of the liquid in the tank and piping,

measuring the resulting displacment of the liquid level, and

including said resulting displacment in said step of calculating said leakage rate.

55. The method of claim 53 wherein said step of measuring said average temperature comprises:

measuring the temperature at a series of vertically spaced loci, to ascertain the temperature of each of a series of segments of the tank volume,

weighting the temperatures with the relative size of said segments, and

calculating said average from the weighted temperature values.

56. The method of claim 53 wherein said tank has a plurality of pipes connected thereto, comprising

measuring the temperature of the liquid in each said pipe,

determining the volume of each said pipe from the length and cross-sectional area thereof,

weighting the measured temperatures according to said pipe volumes,

weighting said average tank temperature according to the relative volumes of the tank and of the pipe, and

averaging said weighted temperatures to produce the step of measuring the average temperature employed in the calculating step for tank leakage rate.

57. The method of claim 53 including the steps of

obtaining the amount of evaporation of the liquid in said tank over said predetermined time interval, and

including that amount in said step of calculating said tank leakage rate.

58. The method of claim 53 including the steps of

measuring the atmospheric pressure adjacent to said tank and

including that pressure in said step of calculating the tank leakage rate.

59. The method of claim 53 in a tank having a fill pipe including the steps of

measuring the inclination of said fill pipe and said tank, and

including said inclination in said step of calculating said tank leakage rate.

60. The method of claim 53, comprising

measuring the height of groundwater outside the tank, relative to the bottom of said tank, and

including that measurement in the step of calculating the tank leakage rate.

61. The method of claim 60 comprising the steps of

calculating the amount of water inside said tank,

calculating the coefficient of expansion thereof as compared with that of the major liquid, and

compensating for the difference.

62. The method of claim 53, comprising

determining the specific gravity of the tank liquid and

using that specific gravity, in combination with the known characteristics of the particular type of liquid, in the step of obtaining the temperature coefficient of expansion.

63. The methed of claim 53 including,

measuring the temperature of said tank and

incorporating that temperature and the temperature coefficient of expansion of the material from which the tank is made in the step of calculating said tank leakage rate.

64. The method of claim 63 including the steps of

determining the amount of ground water in said tank and the amount of major liquid stored in the tank, and

compensating for the different coefficients of expansion of water and of said liquid.

65. A method for obtaining the rate of leakage from an underground tank having a known liquid therein at a predetermined starting level, comprising:

calculating a reference volume of the tank from the dimensions of the tank,

measuring the average temperature of the liquid in the tank,

obtaining a temperature correction factor from said average temperature and the temperature coefficient of expansion of said liquid,

measuring the pressure change of the tank liquid at a fixed location in the tank over a predetermined time interval, and

calculating the tank leakage rate from said reference volume, said pressure change, said time interval, and said temperature factor.

66. The method of claim 65 wherein the steps are performed on a continuous basis.

67. The method of claim 65 wherein said tank has piping connected thereto including the steps of:

displacing a known volume of the liquid in the tank and piping,

measuring the resulting displacement of the liquid level, and

including said resulting displacement in said step of calculating said leakage rate.

68. The method of claim 65 wherein said step of measuring said average temperature comprises:

measuring the temperature at a series of vertically spaced loci, to ascertain the temperature of each of a series of segments of the tank volume,

weighting the temperatures with the relative size of said segments, and

calculating said average from the weighted temperature values.

69. The method of claim 65 wherein said tank has a plurality of pipes connected thereto, comprising

measuring the temperature of the liquid in each said pipe,

determining the volume of each said pipe from the length and cross-sectional area thereof,

weighting the measured temperatures according to said pipe volumes,

weighting said average tank temperature according to the relative volumes of the tank and of the pipe, and

averaging said weighted temperatures to produce the average temperature employed in the calculating step for tank leakage rate.

70. The method of claim 65 including the steps of

obtaining the amount of evaporation of the liquid in said tank over said predetermined time interval, and

including that amount in said step of calculating said tank leakage rate.

71. The method of claim 65 including the steps of

measuring the atmospheric pressure adjacent to said tank and

including that pressure in said step of calculating the tank leakage rate.

72. The method of claim 65 in a tank having a fill pipe including the steps of

measuring the inclination of said fill pipe and said tank, and

including said inclination in said step of calculating said tank leakage rate.

73. The method of claim 65, comprising

measuring the height of groundwater outside the tank, relative to the bottom of said tank, and

including that measurement in the step of calculating the tank leakage rate.

74. The method of claim 65, comprising

determining the specific gravity of the tank liquid and

using that specific gravity, in combination with the known characteristics of the particular type of liquid in the step of obtaining the temperature coefficient of expansion.

75. The method of claim 65 including,

measuring the temperature of said tank and

incorporating that temperature and the temperature coefficient of expansion of the material from which the tank is made in the step of calculating said tank leakage rate.

76. A method for obtaining the rate of leakage from an underground tank having a known liquid therein at a predetermined starting level, comprising:

calculating a reference volume of the tank and from the dimensions of the tank,

measuring the average temperature of the liquid in the tank,

obtaining a temperature correction factor from said average temperature and the temperature coefficient of expansion of said liquid,

measuring the linear displacement of the liquid level with time over a predetermined time interval,

measuring the pressure change of the tank liquid at a fixed location in the tank over said predetermined time interval, and

calculating the tank leakage rate from said reference volume, said linear displacement, said pressure change, said time interval, and said temperature factor.

77. The method of claim 76 wherein before the step of measuring the average temperature of the liquid in the step there is a step of circulating said liquid until said temperature is substantially uniform.

78. The method of claim 76 comprising performing said step of calculating the tank leakage with a digital computer.

79. The method of claim 76 comprising collecting the data from each of said measuring steps and transmitting those data to said computer via an analog-to-digital data acquisition unit.

80. The method of claim 76 wherein instruments are used in said measuring step and including the steps of simultaneously measuring the temperature of each said instrument and the temperatures of the tank itself.

81. The method of claim 80 including the steps of measuring the atmospheric pressure adjacent to the tank by an instrument and measuring the temperature of that instrument.

82. The method of claim 76 wherein said tank has pipes connected thereto, including the steps of

displacing a known volume of liquid in said tank and said pipes,

measuring the resulting displacement of the liquid level in said tank,

measuring the temperatures of the liquid in said pipes,

determining the volume of each said pipe,

weighting the measured temperatures according to said pipe volumes,

weighting the average tank temperatures according to the relative volumes of the tank and the pipes,

averaging said weighted temperatures to produce the average temperature employed in the step of calculating the tank leakage rate, and

including said resulting displacement in said step of calculating the tank leakage rate.

83. The method of claim 76 including the steps of

obtaining the amount of evaporation of the liquid in said tank over said predetermined time interval, and

including that amount in said step of calculating said tank leakage rate.

84. The method of claim 76 in a tank having a fill pipe including the steps of

measuring the inclination of said fill pipe and

including said inclination in said step of calculating said tank leakage rate.

85. The method of claim 76, comprising

determining the specific gravity of the tank liquid and

using that specific gravity, in combination with the known characteristics of the particular type of liquid, in the step of obtaining the temperature coefficient of expansion.

86. The method of claim 76, comprising

measuring the height of groundwater outside the tank, relative to the bottom of said tank, and

including that measuring in the step of calculating the tank leakage rate.

87. A method for obtaining the rate of leakage from an underground tank having piping and a known liquid therein at a predetermined starting level, employing a digital computer having a timer, a memory, and an output, comprising:

computing with said computer a reference volume of the tank from the dimensions of the tank,

measuring by an array of thermistors the temperatures of the liquid in the tank at a series of vertical strata of known dimensions,

obtaining a temperature correction factor from said array temperatures and the temperature coefficient of expansion of said liquid,

measuring the linear displacement of the liquid level with time over a predetermined time interval by an LVDT (linear variable displacement transducer),

measuring the temperature of said LVDT,

measuring the pressure change of the tank liquid at a fixed location in the tank over said time interval by a first pressure transducer above the liquid level in said tank and a probe connected to said transducer and extending into said tank,

measuring the atmospheric pressure above said first pressure transducer by a second pressure transducer,

measuring the temperatures of said first and second transducers, and

computing the tank leakage from said reference volume, said time interval, and said temperature factor, and the measurements obtained by said measuring steps.

88. The method of claim 87 including the steps of

placing some of the tank liquid in a vessel open to the atmosphere,

measuring by a second LVDT the evaporation rate of said vessel-contained liquid over said predetermined time interval,

including said evaporation rate in said step of computing said tank leakage rate,

measuring the temperature of said second LVDT, and

including that temperature in said step of computing said tank leakage rate.

89. The method of claim 87 wherein errors due to vapor pockets in said tank liquid are compensated for by continually monitoring said tank liquid pressure and temperatures, and continuing said monitoring until said errors are reduced to an insignificant amount.

90. The method of claim 87 wherein the measuring steps are continuous and are monitored to note evening out of the results and elimination of anomalies.

91. The method of claim 87 wherein the differences between the computed tank volume and the actual volume is found by

assuming a nominal worst-case error in volume,

computing a corresponding worst-case error in the leakage rate,

obtaining the difference between the computed leakage rate and the worst-case error leakage rate, and

continually monitoring the temperature data until the temperature change results in an insignificant difference between the leakage rates.

92. The method of claim 87, comprising

at one stage, purposely dropping the liquid level below the connections of the tank to its piping, determining by the LVDT, and temperature sensors the leakage rate from the tank only.