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RECORD NUMBER: 4 OF 10

Main Title Evaluation of Volumetric Leak Detection Methods Used in Underground Storage Tanks.
Author Maresca, J. W. ; Starr, J. W. ; Roach, R. D. ; Naar, D. ; Smedfjeld., R. ;
CORP Author Vista Research, Inc., Mountain View, CA.;Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH. Risk Reduction Engineering Lab.
Publisher c1991
Year Published 1991
Report Number EPA-68-03-3409; EPA/600/J-91/155;
Stock Number PB91-226316
Additional Subjects Fuel storage ; Underground storage ; Leakage ; Volumetric analysis ; Land pollution ; Performance evaluation ; Temperature effects ; Mathematical models ; Experimental design ; Acoustic detection ; Structural analysis ; Deformation ; Ground water ; Water pollution ; Reprints ;
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NTIS  PB91-226316 Some EPA libraries have a fiche copy filed under the call number shown. 07/26/2022
Collation 41p
Abstract
The report documents a research program which evaluated the performance of 25 commercially available volumetric test methods for the detection of small leaks in underground gasoline storage tanks. The methodology used made it possible to determine most of the technological issues associated with volumetric leak detection. The approach used (1) experimentally validated models of the important sources of ambient noise that affect volume changes in nonleaking and leaking tanks, (2) a large database of product-temperature changes that result from the delivery of product at a temperature different from that of the product in the tank, and (3) a mathematical model of each test method to estimate the performance of that method. The majority of the methods claimed to be able to reliably detect leak rates as small as 190 ml/h (0.05 gal/h). The results of the study showed that these claims were not met. Five of the methods had the potential to detect leak rates as small as 380 + or - 190 ml/h (0.10 + or - 0.05 gal/h) with a probability of detection of 0.95 and a probability of false alarm of 0.05. Performance was found to be limited primarily by test protocol, operational sensor configuration, data analysis, and calibration, rather than by hardware. The experimental analysis and model calculations suggested that substantial performance improvements could be realized by making only procedural changes. (Copyright (c) 1991--Elsevier Science Publishers B.V.)