Subterranean tank leak containment and detection system

(19)

(11)

EP 0 220 730 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	05.04.1989 Bulletin 1989/14

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	06.05.1987 Bulletin 1987/19

(21)	Application number: 86115040.7

(22)	Date of filing: 29.10.1986

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁴: B65D 90/50, G01M 3/04

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	BE DE FR GB IT LU NL

(30)

Priority:

29.10.1985 US 792737

(71)	Applicant: Groupe Tréco Ltée
	Exton, Pennsylvania 19341 (US)

(72)	Inventor:
	Butts, Nicholas E. Nepean Ontario, K2G 4W5 (CA)

(74)	Representative: Liska, Horst, Dr.-Ing. et al
	Patentanwälte H. Weickmann,K. Fincke,F.A. Weickmann, B. Huber,H. Liska,J. Prechtel,B. Böhm Postfach 86 08 20 81635 München 81635 München (DE)

(56)

References cited: :

(54)	Subterranean tank leak containment and detection system

(57) An improved system for containment and detection of leakage of petroleum products from a subterranean storage tank (10) is disclosed wherein the tank is provided with leak sensing means (13, 14) positioned at one end of the tank and the tank (10), together with the leak sensor (13, 14), is enclosed in an impervious enclosure (11) which is sealed about the tank (10) to prevent actuation of the leak sensor (13, 14) except due to leakage from the tank. In one form the leak sensor may by housed in a perforated duct (34) which extends through and is sealed within the enclosure (32) permitting access to the leak sensor and the interior of the enclosure (32) in the event that a leak is detected. A preferred material for use in making the enclosure is welded linear high density polyethylene (HDPE). In a second preferred form, a drainage mesh (121) is positioned between the tank (30) and the enclosure (32) to ensure that any leakage from the tank drains to the leak sensor, and an absorbent strip (120) is positioned beneath the tank (30) and inside the enclosure (32) to conduct leakage to the sensor.

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