Leak Detection EquipmentLeak Detection Equipment

Tank Tightness Tank Tightness TestingTesting

Ed KubinskyEd KubinskyCrompco Crompco

Tightness Testing

Why Is Tank Tightness Testing Necessary?

Satisfy Leak Detection Requirements (along with Inventory Control)Start-ups (contractor or owner request)SIR failure or inconclusive resultsSudden releaseTank taking on water

Tightness Testing

Why Is Tank Tightness Testing Necessary?

AccidentRequest by a regulatory authorityATG FailureProperty TransferUnexplained loss of product

Tightness Testing

Tank Tightness Testing Features:

Some tightness test methods are “volumetric” methods in which the change in product level is measured very precisely in milliliters or thousandths of an inch.

Tightness Testing

Tank Tightness Testing Features:

With non-volumetric underfill vacuum tests, the tester listens for sounds while the tank is under vacuum to determine whether or not the tank is leaking. A water sensor is used to measure any water ingress during the test.

Tightness Testing

Tank Tightness Testing Procedures:

Water table measurements and calculations are made in order to determine the length of the test and the amount of vacuum that must be applied. The water sensor must be used if the tank is submersed in water or if the tank is DW with brine in the interstitial space.

Tightness Testing

Tank Tightness Testing Procedures:

Once the required vacuum is achieved, the technician listens for both ullage leaks (hissing sounds) and leaks below the product level (bubble signatures). The technician also monitors the water sensor for signs of water ingress.

Tightness Testing

Tank Tightness Testing Features:

Some methods require all of the measurements and calculations to be made by the tester. Other methods are highly automated. Once the tester sets up the equipment, a computer controls the measurement and analysis.

Tightness Testing

Tank Tightness Testing Features:

Tanks must be taken out of service for tightness testing. The downtime depends on the test method and issues encountered during testing.

Tightness Testing

Tank Tightness Testing Features:

Some methods require that tanks be filled to certain product levels. Check with your testing company to find out the requirements for their tank tightness method.

Tightness Testing

Other considerations:

Used primarily on USTs no more than 30,000 gallons in capacity.

Tightness Testing

Other considerations:

Test method, procedure, equipment and experienced personnel are all very important factors in a successful tank tightness test.

Therefore:

Tightness Testing

Make sure that your tester has been certified by the equipment manufacturer. Make sure that equipment being used by the tester has been certified and calibrated as well.

Tank Tightness Testing Tank Tightness Testing Using the EZY-3 Locator Using the EZY-3 Locator Plus (Estabrook’s Inc.)Plus (Estabrook’s Inc.)

Individual Certification Individual Certification RequiredRequired

Technicians must attend manufacturer training on the Technicians must attend manufacturer training on the equipment and then renew their certification every 2 equipment and then renew their certification every 2 years.years.

Annual Equipment Annual Equipment Calibration/Certification Calibration/Certification

RequiredRequiredEach piece of equipment Each piece of equipment

used must be sent back used must be sent back to the manufacturer to the manufacturer annually for calibration annually for calibration and certification and certification including:including:Acoustic Signal ProcessorAcoustic Signal ProcessorMicrophonesMicrophonesWater SensorsWater SensorsWater Sensor displaysWater Sensor displaysDigital Pressure SensorsDigital Pressure SensorsAnalog Vacuum GaugesAnalog Vacuum Gauges

Tank Tightness Testing – Understanding Tank Tightness Testing – Understanding the Listing 3the Listing 3rdrd Party Listing of the EZY-3 Party Listing of the EZY-3

Locator PlusLocator Plus Method is 3Method is 3rdrd Party Approved Party Approved

by Ken Wilcox, meets US EPA by Ken Wilcox, meets US EPA tank tightness testing criteria tank tightness testing criteria to detect a .1 gph leak and is to detect a .1 gph leak and is currently listed on the currently listed on the NWGLDE website: NWGLDE website: http://www.nwglde.org/evals/estabrook_ezy_check_d.html

Non-Volumetric/UnderfillNon-Volumetric/Underfill Testing TechnologyTesting Technology

Vacuum method using acoustic Vacuum method using acoustic signal processor and signal processor and microphone to determine tank microphone to determine tank integrity by the technician integrity by the technician audibly listening for a leak. audibly listening for a leak. The amount of vacuum pulled The amount of vacuum pulled on the tank in order to on the tank in order to properly test the tank is properly test the tank is dependent on site specific dependent on site specific conditions including the height conditions including the height of product in the tank (inches), of product in the tank (inches), weight of fuel being tested weight of fuel being tested (psi) and water table (psi) and water table surrounding the tanksurrounding the tank

NWGLDE Listing DiscussionNWGLDE Listing Discussion

EZY-3 Locator Plus EZY-3 Locator Plus OperationOperationTank must be shut down while Tank must be shut down while

being testedbeing testedAcoustic portion of the test takes Acoustic portion of the test takes

only minutes to perform unless only minutes to perform unless AHJ requires minimum test AHJ requires minimum test periods (background & test)periods (background & test)

Single wall tanks in a dry Single wall tanks in a dry excavation and double wall tanks excavation and double wall tanks with a dry interstitial space can with a dry interstitial space can be tested rather quicklybe tested rather quickly

If water table exists on a single If water table exists on a single wall tank or if testing a double wall tank or if testing a double wall tank with a brine-filled wall tank with a brine-filled interstitial area, test period must interstitial area, test period must be extended by performing a be extended by performing a water intrusion test in addition to water intrusion test in addition to the acoustic testthe acoustic test

This method tests both the This method tests both the wetted and dry portion of the wetted and dry portion of the tanktank

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATIONPRINCIPLE OF OPERATIONEZY 3 LOCATOR PLUS NON-EZY 3 LOCATOR PLUS NON-

VOLUMETRIC TANK TESTINGVOLUMETRIC TANK TESTINGThe testing instrumentation The testing instrumentation

provided to the technician yields provided to the technician yields four very important bits of four very important bits of

information on the underground information on the underground tank.tank.

• • An acoustic signal, which reveals “no” An acoustic signal, which reveals “no” sound, and/or “no” water intrusion sound, and/or “no” water intrusion

indicating a tight tank.indicating a tight tank.

• • A leak in the ullage (dry) portion of the A leak in the ullage (dry) portion of the tank that reveals a “hiss” sound.tank that reveals a “hiss” sound.

• • A leak below liquid level (wet) portion of A leak below liquid level (wet) portion of the tank that reveals a “bubbling” sound.the tank that reveals a “bubbling” sound.

• • The amount of water intrusion due to a The amount of water intrusion due to a leak.leak.

Pros and Cons of the Pros and Cons of the MethodMethod

PROS:PROS:Completely dependent Completely dependent upon the technician’s upon the technician’s discretiondiscretionCan test tanks with Can test tanks with minimal down time for minimal down time for the ownerthe ownerVery accurate in the Very accurate in the hands of a good hands of a good techniciantechnicianSW tanks in a dry SW tanks in a dry excavation or DW tanks excavation or DW tanks with dry interstitial can with dry interstitial can be tested quickly and be tested quickly and accuratelyaccurately

Cons:Cons:Completely dependent Completely dependent upon the technician’s upon the technician’s discretiondiscretionPotential problems Potential problems associated with testing SW associated with testing SW tanks containing ethanol tanks containing ethanol blended fuel when a water blended fuel when a water table is above tank bottom table is above tank bottom or DW tanks with brine-or DW tanks with brine-filled interstitial areas, or filled interstitial areas, or E-85 tanksE-85 tanksCan be disastrous in the Can be disastrous in the hands of a poor or hands of a poor or unethical technicianunethical technician

Documentation Required by the Manufacturer Documentation Required by the Manufacturer for a Test to be Considered Valid (Test Report)for a Test to be Considered Valid (Test Report)