Storage Leak Detection System For Petroleum Products

Petroleum materials such as gasoline and fuel oils are often stored in underground and above ground tanks. A leak in the tank can allow these materials to enter the subsurface and contaminate ground water resources which then requires expensive assessment and remediation efforts. The optical leak detection systems currently in use can only distinguish the difference between aqueous and non-aqueous media through the use of conductivity sensors. These sensors are expensive and complex and aqueous condensation can trigger false-positive alarms. Scientists at the University of California have developed and created a prototype of a novel leak detection system for storage tanks that contain petroleum materials. This device uses a unique optical platform to detect a fluorescent signal from leaked petroleum products. Applications: Leak detection for petroleum storage systems