Detection of diesel leakage from underground storage tank using time domain reflectometry
Abstract
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established regulations concerning
the construction and maintenance of an underground storage tank (UST) system. These
regulations also define the means and methods required to detect potential leaks. Leak
detection methods defined as “other methods� can be used if specific requirements are
achieved. We find in our study time domain reflectometry (TDR) can be used to detect leaks
from an UST. The magnitudes of reflections measured by the TDR technique are used to
calculate electrical properties of the soil. We find the introduction of diesel fuel, a light nonaqueous
phase liquid (LNAPL), into the soil alters the physical and chemical properties of
the soil and subsequently the electrical properties. We demonstrate the measured variance of
electrical properties can be correlated to the changes of diesel fuel concentration. We find
diesel fuel can be detected and changes of concentration can be measured using TDR.
Table of Contents
Introduction -- Literature review -- Methodology -- Results and discussion -- Conclusions
Degree
M.S.