The present invention defines six unexpected benefits resulting from the automation of and improvements to inventory reconciliation and tank level monitoring at tank farms, terminals and refineries, commonly associated with refining and the transportation of, hydrocarbon fuels. In the implementation of an automated system for tank level monitoring and periodic inventory reconciliation, it has been discovered that both applications can be used to correctly identify maintenance needs and policy violations that were previously unable to be identified. The benefits include identification of thermal relief valve failure, transmix check valve failure, lock out/tag out failure, floating roof landing, and incorrect tank assignments.

A fluid monitoring apparatus for detecting which of a first fluid, a second fluid and a third fluid is present, the second fluid having a density less than the first fluid and the third fluid having a density less than the second fluid. The apparatus includes: a first float having a density less than that of the first fluid but greater than that of the second fluid; a second float having a density less than that of the second fluid but greater than that of the third fluid; and a sensor. The sensor is configured to detect the first float and the second float so that the position of the floats can be determined.

A fuel storage system has a tank access chamber with improved monitoring, servicing and maintenance capabilities. In particular, the chamber includes a sump monitored by a liquid sensor whose proper function can be automatically checked remotely, e.g., via an electronic controller or remote manual operation. In cases where such a check indicates a need for physical inspection of the sump sensor, the present system provides for sensor removal and installation by service personnel from a location outside the tank access chamber. Thus, the present system facilitates regular inspection and routine or unplanned maintenance without the need for a person to physically enter the tank access chamber.

A transformer system includes a transformer and a transformer tank housing the transformer in a bath of a coolant; and a plurality of radiator systems operative to transfer heat from the coolant, each radiator system being in fluid communication with the transformer tank. The transformer system also includes means for determining an occurrence of a potential coolant leak in one or more radiator system of the plurality of radiator systems; and means for isolating only radiator systems of the plurality of radiator systems that are leaking, in response to a determination of the occurrence of the potential coolant leak.

A fluid measuring device includes a measuring head device having a measuring head with separated and electrically insulated electrodes and measuring head contacts each connected to a respective electrode. A measuring circuit includes terminal contacts each connected to a respective measuring head contact. The measuring circuit includes a current source for pulsed energizing of the measuring head connected to the terminal contacts. The measuring circuit includes an output circuit between the terminal contacts including a measuring capacitor and an evaluation circuit ascertaining state-of-charge information regarding the measuring capacitor. A supplementary circuit in the measuring head is connected to the measuring head contacts and establishes basic capacitance and resistance properties therebetween corresponding to capacitance and resistance properties between the measuring head contacts upon contact with predefined partial wetting of the electrodes by conductive fluid having predefined conductivity without the supplementary circuit. A measuring head device is also provided.

A sealing tightness measuring device and a pressure-retaining capability measuring gauge for a pressure container or system is provided. A pressure is produced against the testing fluid inside a piston cylinder communicated with the tested container or system by an assembly including a weight, a piston, and a piston cylinder successively arranged through a coaxial plumb bob. An equation R.sub.L=pt/C is used to represent the sealing tightness of the pressure container or system. The equation pt=p(p0.5p)t/p is used in the pressure-retaining capability measuring gauge to express the pressure-retaining capability, wherein p is the fixed testing fluid pressure, t is the elapsed time for the fluid to leak completely, C is the volume of the pressure container or system, p is the drop value of the pressure, and t is the elapsed time for the pressure to descend from p to (pp) caused by the leakage.

A container having a flow end with an associated hole in a surface that matches a cutout in a cover that is inserted in the flow end. Rotation of the cover with the container aligns the hole with the cutout in the cover; to allow fluid flow when the system is placed downwards into a liquid body. When the liquid level in the container matches that in the liquid body, a base is inserted within a resting end of the container thereby restricting liquid flow in or out of the system. As the container is removed from the liquid, the cover at the flow end is twisted so that the hole in the container is covered thereby creating a closed system, blocking any fluid movement. The system is placed on the resting base and stored to compare at a later time with the Liquid Containment System.

A leak detection and recovery system for use with DRA equipment. The system is intended to reduce the risk of a chemical release into the environment, namely the soil, ground water, and waterways. The system may provide clean collection of leaked DRA, early detection of DRA leaks, immediate notification of DRA leaks, and re-use of leaked DRA through clean recovery with no hazardous waste disposal.

Devices, methods, and systems for detecting refrigerant leak in a refrigeration system are described herein. One device includes a memory and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to detect fluctuations in a refrigerant level in a refrigerant tank of a refrigeration system, determine whether the detected fluctuations in the refrigerant level are abnormal, and determine whether a refrigerant leak is occurring in the refrigeration system based, at least in part, on whether the detected fluctuations in the refrigerant level are abnormal.

In a method and a corresponding system for identifying a fuel loss event, periodic measurements of a measured volume of fuel stored in a fuel tank (mobile or stationary) are received, and a measurement of a dispensed volume of fuel dispensed into the fuel tank is received from a fueling station. A total volume of fuel is determined equal to the sum of the dispensed volume of fuel and the measured volume of fuel last measured prior to receiving from a fueling station. A difference is determined between the total volume and the measured volume of fuel first measured subsequent to determining the total volume. If the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold indicating a fuel loss event, an alert is generated indicating that there is a fuel loss event.