Measuring particulate in liquid storage tanks

• US 7,266,994 B1
• Filed: 10/06/2004
• Issued: 09/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marathon Petroleum Company LP (Marathon Petroleum Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Marathon Ashland Petroleum Company LLC
• Inventors: Sheridan, James, Spero, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): CYGAN, MICHAEL T
• Application Number:
  US10/960,475
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• Field of Search: 73/617.1, 73/530.1, 283/115, 116/334, 356/239.5, 356/239.6
• US Class Current: 73/61.71
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/293 with colour charts, graduated scales or turrets
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/51 inside a container, e.g. in an ampoule G01N21/53 takes precedence

Abstract

This device provides for measuring the particulate content in a fluid storage tank. A sample of fluid is taken from a fluid storage tank; and compared to a field visual reference chart. Using this chart results in identifying tanks containing a maximum or average particulate allowable.

Claims

1. A visual apparatus for measuring particulate content in a gasoline or diesel fuel storage tank using a field visual reference comprising:

a sample of gasoline or diesel fuel taken from a gasoline or diesel fuel storage tank;

a photograph image of a first sample consisting of only gasoline or diesel fuel;

a photograph image of a second sample of gasoline or diesel fuel containing a maximum allowable particulate for consumer sales; and

a multiplicity of photograph images of samples of gasoline or diesel fuel, each sample of the multiplicity containing a different, measured amount of particulate, wherein the particulate has settled to the bottom of the sample.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the particulate is rust.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the particulate is solid material.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of the photograph images represents a sample containing 50 mg of the particulate per liter of gasoline or diesel fuel.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of the photograph images represents a sample showing a maximum particulate allowable for a distribution system.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of the photograph images represents a sample showing a maximum particulate allowable for an underground storage tank.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the storage tank is an underground tank.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the storage tank is a steel tank.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the photograph images are digital photographs.

10. A visual method for measuring particulate content in a gasoline or diesel fuel storage tank using a field visual reference comprising the steps of:

providing a sample of gasoline or diesel fuel taken from a gasoline or diesel fuel storage tank;

providing a photograph image of a first sample consisting of only gasoline or diesel fuel;

providing a photograph image of a second sample of gasoline or diesel fuel containing a maximum allowable particulate for consumer sales;

a multiplicity of photograph images of sample gasoline or diesel fuel, each sample of the multiplicity containing a different, measured amount of particulate;

settling the particulate to the bottom of the sample;

visually comparing the sample of gasoline or diesel fuel from the storage tank to photograph images; and

making a decision on the quality of the gasoline or diesel fuel in the storage tank based on the visually comparing.

11. A method according to claim 10 including the step of providing one image of a container containing 50 mg of the particulate per liter of the fluid.

12. A method according to claim 10 including the step of providing one image of a sample containing a maximum particulate allowable for a distribution system.

13. A method according to claim 10 including the step of providing one image of a sample containing a maximum particulate allowable for an underground storage tank.

14. A method according to claim 10 wherein the storage tank is an underground tank.

15. A method according to claim 10 wherein the storage tank is a steel tank.

16. A method according to claim 10 wherein the particulate is rust.

17. A method according to claim 10 wherein the particulate is solid material.