Evaluation of the Accuracy of Volumetric Leak Detection Methods for Underground Storage Tanks Containing Gasoline

摘要

The report summarizes the results of EPA's research program to evaluate the current performance of 25 commercially available volumetric test methods for the detection of small leaks in underground gasoline storage tanks. The leak rate measurable by these systems ranged from 0.26 to 6.78 L/h (0.97 to 1.79 gal/h) with a probability of detection at 95% and probability of false alarm of 5%. Five of the methods achieved a performance that was better than 0.57 L/h (0.15 gal/h). The measured performance was considerably poorer than the often claimed 0.19 L/h (0.05 gal/h). The performance of the methods evaluated here was limited by current protocol and practice rather than by hardware. Such limitations can be overcome by rather modest modifications to testing practice rather than by major system redesign.