DE2130325A1 - LEAK DETECTOR, IN PARTICULAR FOR OIL TANK AND PIPING - Google Patents

Description

^H _{Leak indicator f} especially for oil tanks and pipelines "

The invention relates to a leak indicator

It is often difficult to find oil leaks from tanks or pipes to discover. Containers are often embedded in the ground or fixed in such a way that they are difficult to inspect are. Pipelines extend over long distances and are therefore very difficult to monitor. By Leaking oil can cause considerable damage to vegetation and groundwater. It is therefore important To create alarm devices, which are effective in the event of a leak.

The invention is based on the knowledge that certain synthetic resins, for example styrene, prove to be an excellent insulating material, but are not resistant to petroleum products. Based on this , the invention is there-

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characterized in that the display device is two at a distance mutually located contact bodies are assigned, of which at least one in one opposite petroleum products not resistant and located on the container synthetic resin is embedded, and that the contact body is electrically connected to a monitoring instrument and are arranged to trigger an alarm if electrical contact is made between the two Contact bodies in the event of local destruction of the synthetic resin, caused by petrol leaking from the container eumproducts, arises »

If oil leaks out of a broken pipeline and is not discovered in time, considerable damage can result. To prevent this, two electrical contact bodies are used arranged along the pipeline and attached to a Monitoring instrument old connected to an alarm device. At least one of the contact bodies extends into one body embedded in synthetic resin, which is not resistant to petroleum products and is attached to the pipeline in this way is that oil escaping from the pipeline locally destroys the crystal body and, as a result, the contact bodies with one another brings in touch. This touch of the contact body triggers an Alan's monitoring instrument. With With the help of suitable measuring devices, which can be connected to both ends of the contact body, Bit a high Degree of accuracy can be determined at which slope the pipeline is destroyed.

Embodiments of the present invention are explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 of the drawings illustrates, in schematic form, the Arrangement of two groups of contact bodies on a pipeline;

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Fig. 2 shows a similar view of another Execution fora represent two groups of contact bodies;

Fig. 3 shows in a schematic manner a leakage indicator according to the invention, which is connected to a Monitoring instrument is connected;

4 is a section through one of the contact bodies ▼ seen insulated drilling pipe;

Fig. 5 is a further embodiment of the contact body; and

6 shows a further embodiment of the contact body.

The general arrangement of the indicators is of course determined by the use of a container or on the drilling line as well as being influenced by whether the container is thermally insulated or not thermally insulated. If thermal insulation is required, then this is the opposite of petroleum products non-resistant bodies of synthetic resin are part of this insulation · It can also be a or ■ Or strips of this resin product are attached to suitable parts of the container.

The container is expediently la lower part one or more points on the outside bit one Group or groups of contact bodies provided in a synthetic that is not resistant to petroleum Resin are embedded. When used on a drilling line, the contact bodies extend along the same and can be divided into individual groups. This makes it possible to selectively monitor suitable parts of the

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To stretch the pipeline. The length oinor such group can extend over up to 50 ka.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, an arrangement is shown in scaatic form, in which a certain length of a pipe line is covered by two groups 10 and 11 of contact bodies. The structure of the contact bodies is explained below individually Installation for the pipe is embedded and connected to an IContro 11 instrument 12 or 13 in a monitoring center. The IO group is · connected by means of cables 14 on the associated check instrument 13 Diο cable 14 are enclosed in a ölresistentcn, electrical insulation and "toned down Miraeisolierung" Bind along Fluoro not resi which the contact body 11 uQschliesst.

In the case of the in Flg. 2 of the drawings shown form of the present invention is a substantial part of the Control 1 instrument 13 for group 10 at one end arranged in the group · They are signals with the help of o one Cable 14a is fed into a reading and control instnuaent 13 &, which is located in a surveillance center It is close to one associated with the co-roll instrument 12 and comparable instrument 12a provided. Jo after the The length of the pipeline must be enlarged to the number of groups in order to achieve the desired measuring accuracy. The instruments 12a, 13a etc. are connected to a geaoinsanes ALANA device 15 of the design described below connected

A group of contact bodies and the associated control instrument is shown schematically in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The group has first and second contact bodies iö and 17 »preferably two cables made of copper wire, on,

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which in a meander shape parallel and under a certain amount Placed a distance from each other and embedded in a body made of synthetic resin, for example in styrene, which is not resistant to oil · The fora and the extension of this contact body is the respective purpose i.e. it depends on whether they are attached to a container or to a pipeline. The out Synthetic resin, including the contact body, preferably forms a component in the heat. insulation of the tank or the pipeline.

The contact bodies are kept at a distance from one another and are connected to the monitoring or control instrument, which has a power source 18. If a Should a leak occur, the leaking oil quickly destroys the insulating material in the area of the leak, so that the contact bodies are electrically conductive or connected.

The control or monitoring system also has a Thyristor 19 or a comparable electronic device, which when an electrical current is fed in is activated. A signal lamp 20 and an acoustic device 21 are also assigned to the monitoring system. if a switch 22 is closed, then the control instrument is connected to the contact body. These have opposite polarity, but remain empty Contact with each other.

The control instrument can also include known facilities Kind, named in general terms by reference number 23, have and old a lamp be equipped, the old The green light is lit as long as the workflow is normal. Once the insulation is destroyed at some point

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".Fewird di # green light abgecchaltet and lit a lamp 20 red u like to int with emitting light while u & b acoustic device is put into operation. The electrical current switched on by the contact body becomes the. Thyristor fed in. It is possible to confirm the detected alarm with the help of a safety device 22 and to switch off at least the acoustic signal, while at the same time the optical signal is converted from its effect as a red _p lateraltlereatl glowing light into a constantly red light. The optical signal is reduced to a green light ~ normal state - only then? if eier S ^ k & üen is found and the contact body gatr <snnt

To hera "sg! Afiad @ a _# at present which Stell® the damage, an electronic measuring instrument is the" type used scbonatlßch shown in FIG. The Zeiofenwagen. The ends of both Kontalstkörper i6 and Il are each old connected by lines 24 vikü 25 S ¹ ^ dl @ Stromqu & ltm 18

In each pair OCE lines verifiable a double switch 26 is Dzw. 27 "Swisokara these switches and a connection to the power source is connected ± n & AMeseinstniment 28th

The resistance of each KontaktkSrpers i6 _s 17 and the lines 24 and 25 is known. If there is destruction or damage along the pipeline, it is possible to locate the point of damage from the monitoring center or from any other point at which the Ahleaoiastruaeat is located.

When the control is separated from the contact bodies is, the switch 26 is closed * whereby one closed circle, which is the left part of the

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X encloses the contact body up to the point of damage. Of the Resistance of this electrical circuit is through the reading instrument 28 measured or reproduced. The switch 26 is then opened and the switch 27 is closed, whereby you get a corresponding reading of the resistance of that circuit, which the right part of the contact body ustsehllosst. A comparison of these two readings reveals an accurate hatred for the distance to the point of damage, measured from each end point of the line.

When used on an oil pipeline, the contact body can advantageously be arranged in the form shown in FIG. K of the drawings. The insulation consists of parts 31 and 32, which each cover half of the circumference of the ear and extend over a certain height. Each piece of insulation is reinforced by an inner wire mesh 33. This wire mesh in both parts of the insulation can possibly be connected and represents one of the contact bodies. In one of the two insulating parts or in both, preferably in each case in the lower part, a second contact body 34 is fitted above the wire mesh. The insulation is enclosed in a UUlIe 35. "Whenever a leak occurs at the circumference of the pipeline, the oil runs down into the lower part of the insulation and destroys the insulating material in this area. Ks creates contact between the upper contact body 34 and the wire mesh or wire mesh 33 below · Ho ^ contact body 34 is made of a soft material and is cast into the insulation bit of sufficient length in the coiled position, which ensures that the upper contact body falls safely onto the wire mesh below if the leaking oil has destroyed the insulation.

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In a line carrying petroleum gas, the contact bodies in the upper part of the insulation are important. In this In this case, the contact body 34 should lie above the contact body 33.

Referring to Figure 5 of the drawings, there is another embodiment the contact body shown. Genäse representation exist the contact bodies are made of wire and are in a zigzag shape laid as zvoi strips 36 and 37. The strips can for example made of copper. One of the strips is shown in dashed lines for the sake of better illustration. The two strips are mirror-inverted, one jeveil arranged above the other, so that the upper wire strip falls safely onto the wire strip below if the insulation is destroyed.

With a suitable Vahl the material the contact body can one or both of them can be malleable and, in a prestressed position, cast into the insulation. If such a contact body is free when the insulation is destroyed will respectively. exposed, it moves as a result of its preamble tion in contact with the adjacent contact body, ^ ine Such a form of execution is shown in Flg. 6 of the drawings. The pipe 38 is through an insulating IlUlle 39 surrounded. The wall of the pipeline is connected to the control instrument 12 and represents one of the contact bodies. The other contact body consists of one insulated line 40, to which a number of contact points or contact bodies 41 made of elastic material are connected. These are in a prestressed position in the insulation poured in. If the insulation according to reference numeral 42 is destroyed, the contact point or contact body 41a springs within this area in contact with the pipe wall and thereby closes the electrical circuit.

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In the execution fora in FIGS. K, 5 and 6 , no measuring or reading devices are shown. It should be noted, however, that measuring devices and instruments of the type shown in FIG. 3 are assigned to the devices shown in FIGS can be

All information and characteristics disclosed in the documents are, insofar as they are used individually or in combination, compared to the State of the art new are claimed as part of the invention.

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Claims (1)

2130323 PATENT CLAIMS: 1. Leak indicator for containers containing petroleum products, characterized in that the indicator is assigned two spaced-apart contact bodies (lO _y 11, l6, 17, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 41) of which at least one in one synthetic resin, which is not resistant to petroleum products and is embedded on the container, and that the contact bodies are electrically connected to a monitoring instrument (l2 _t 13 «19f 20, 21) and are arranged in such a way that they trigger an alarm device if there is electrical contact between the two Contact bodies in the event of local destruction of the synthetic resin caused by petroleum products leaking out of the container. 2. Leak indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact bodies (lO, Ii) are elongated in shape and normally kept separate from one another but connected to an electrical power source, and that the monitoring device is assigned a device (20, 21) which is active when the current passes through, if there is contact between the contact bodies as a result of the destruction of the synthetic resin body » 3 Leak indicator according to Claim 2, characterized in that that each contact body (i6, 17) consists of a strip of wire, and that two such strips are arranged in mirror image one above the other. 209883/0 k, Leekage display device according to claim 2 when used on a heat-insulated pipeline, characterized in that the first contact body is formed as a reinforcing mesh embedded in the warning-insulating material, that the heat-insulating material consists of a synthetic resin that is not resistant to petroleum products, and that the second contact body is shaped as a wire which is fitted above the reinforcing mesh lattice carried by the insulation and is of sufficient length to fall down onto the mesh lattice when the insulation forming a support is destroyed. 5 · Leekage display device according to claim 1, characterized in that that at least one of the contact bodies consists of an elastic material and is in a pretensioned position is fixed within the synthetic resin body. 6. Leekage display device according to claim 5 »characterized in that the elastic contact body is so biased and it is fixed that when the resin is destroyed, it automatically comes into contact with the other contact body forming Wall of the container. 7. Leekage display device according to claim 1, when used on a pipeline for the selective display of leaks in different parts of the pipeline, characterized in that, that groups of contact bodies are arranged along the pipeline and each by means of cables with one in a monitoring center located monitoring instrument in connection, and that the cables within the through a Intermediate group of contact bodies covered part of the pipeline are enclosed by an oil-resistant, electrical insulation. 209883/0138 -12- 8. Leak indicator according to claim 2, characterized in that both ends of the two elongated contact bodies are connected to a measuring device with the help of optionally actuatable switches in such a way that a closed circuit, which includes the parts of both contact bodies from the ends to the point of damage, can be achieved on each side of the point of damage " 3/0138 A3 Le e rs e r t e