A review on status of domestic and foreign tank leakage detection technologies

In China, over-serviced tanks are commonly used with high risk of leakage. In order to improve the safety and reliability of tank facilities, it is necessary to apply advanced tank leakage detection technology and take measures at the early stage of leakage. In this paper, the tank leakage detection methods that are widely used in China were analyzed in terms of their advantages and disadvantages, including the conventional manual measurement method, the newly developed tank foundation boring detection method and double-bottom leakage detection method, and the open tank detection method which is applicable for suspended tanks. Then, technical standards, advanced experience and recommended practices of American tank leakage detection were introduced, including oil leakage induction cable, resistance leakage detection method, measures at the early stage of tank leakage, and quantitative assessment of tank leakage risk. Finally, recommendations were proposed to select tank leakage detection technologies appropriately and improve domestic tank leakage detection technologies by referring to American standards.