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Fueling system vapor recovery and containment performance monitor and method of operation thereof

  • US 8,893,542 B2
  • Filed: 12/06/2012
  • Issued: 11/25/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for monitoring vapor containment in a liquid fuel dispensing facility having a fuel storage system with a vapor containment system, the fuel storage system providing fuel for dispensing by at least one fuel dispensing unit, comprising:

  • a vapor pressure sensor operatively connected to the vapor containment system of the fuel storage system to measure the vapor pressure in the fuel storage system; and

    a monitor operatively connected to the vapor pressure sensor wherein the monitor is adapted to;

    detect if all of the at least one fuel dispensing units are idle, and if all of the at least one fuel dispensing units are idle;

    monitor a vapor pressure level in the fuel storage system over a period of time to determine if the fuel storage system contains a leak;

    determine a model to estimate a rate of change of pressure times ullage volume of the fuel storage tank in the fuel storage system for a given test pressure, for which the monitor is further adapted to;

    calculate a plurality of pressure rate and ullage volume measurement pairs each comprising an average pressure rate in the fuel storage tank using the pressure sensor, and ullage volume of the fuel storage tank, for a plurality of intervals;

    calculate pressure mid points from the measurement pairs; and

    use the measurement pairs and pressure mid points with linear regression to create a model of the rate of change of pressure times ullage volume at selected test pressures, andabort the monitoring of the vapor pressure level in the fuel storage system at any time that any of the at least one fuel dispensing units are not idle before the period of time expires.

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