Fluid handling – With leakage or drip collecting
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-22
2001-01-30
Walton, George L. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
With leakage or drip collecting
C141S086000, C220S571000, C222S108000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178990
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for containing accidental drips and spills of fuels at environmentally sensitive areas and, in particular, to a drop chute spill guard for containing spills in conjunction with a loading hose supplying fuel to an in-ground storage tank via a drop chute.
Facilities having in-ground fuel storage tanks include marinas, tugboat fueling depots, airports, truck stops, gas stations, military facilities, etc. Typically a drop chute method is employed to fill the in-ground storage tank from a fuel source.
FIG. 1
shows a conventional drop chute fuel tank loading arrangement. A fuel truck
1
is coupled through a loading valve
2
and a loading hose
3
to a conventional drop chute
5
via a pair of quick coupler hose connections
4
. The drop chute
5
is inserted into an inlet of the storage tank
6
through a tank sump
7
. Typically, the area surrounding the sump
7
and above the tank
6
is concrete.
To load fuel using the drop chute method, the storage tank
6
is opened, and the existing fuel level is determined with a graduated stick. The drop chute
5
is inserted into the storage tank
6
, and the loading hose
3
is secured to the drop chute
5
and the loading valve
2
via the couplers
4
. The loading valve
2
is opened, and the tank is filled to a predetermined level by gravity flow. The loading valve
2
is closed, and the hose
3
is elevated to drain the remaining fuel. The hose
3
is then disconnected from the valve
2
and the drop chute
5
, the storage tank
6
is capped, and the loading equipment is stored.
Accidental drips and spills can occur due to faulty equipment and/or human error and carelessness. The couplings may not be properly joined, or the O-rings in the connectors
4
may fail resulting in drips. Carelessness and inattention on the part of the loader may result in a major spill. Still further, if the storage tank
6
is overfilled, the tank sump
7
fills up in a matter of seconds, and if the loader cannot get to the loading valve quickly, the sump
7
will spill over. In this instance, not only is the fuel running onto the ground, but several gallons of fuel remain in the loading hose
3
, which presents additional spill potential.
On most occasions, a loader will have three tanks filling simultaneously. A fuel hauling truck has four compartments with a potential to unload three compartments at the same time. This simultaneous unloading in itself also presents a spillage hazard. After a storage tank has been filled and the equipment is uncoupled, a small amount of dripping always occurs at the connectors
4
. If the loading hose
3
is not properly elevated and drained, a larger amount of fuel will be spilled.
Stricter government regulations regarding in-ground tanks are currently being enacted, including some organizations that have declared zero tolerance for waterfront fuel spills of any size. Clean up of small spills and drips cost the industry millions yearly in fines, loss of trucking contracts, labor and cleaning supplies. Thus, there is a need for an effective fuel spill containment apparatus that is portable and easy to install and maintain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a drop chute spill guard is provided that addresses the problems associated with drop chute fuel tank loading. The drop chute spill guard according to the invention preferably includes a flexible barrier sized to surround the tank sump, an absorption layer disposed covering the flexible barrier, and a sealing ring secured to the flexible barrier and having an outside diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the sump. An opening disposed in the vicinity of the tank inlet extends through the absorption layer, the flexible barrier and the sealing ring for receiving the drop chute. The absorption layer effectively absorbs any fuel dripped or spilled during the drop chute loading process, and the barrier prevents any absorbed fuel from reaching the ground. By properly positioning the drop chute spill guard according to the invention, the amount of fuel spillage and number of recordable spillage incidents can be greatly reduced if not eliminated entirely. Alternatively, the absorption layer may be omitted and the barrier layer alone used to retain the fuel spill for later clean up.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a drop chute spill guard assembly for containing spills in conjunction with a loading hose supplying fuel to an in-ground storage tank via a drop chute communicating through a sump. The drop chute spill guard includes a flexible barrier sized to surround the sump, a plurality of interchangeable absorption layer inserts adapted to cover the flexible barrier, and a sealing ring secured to the flexible barrier and having an outside diameter substantially corresponding to a diameter of the sump. An opening is disposed in the vicinity of the tank inlet and extends through the flexible barrier and the absorption layer insert thereon and the sealing ring for receiving the drop chute. The spill guard assembly may also include a polyurethane disposal bag to facilitate disposal of used absorption layer inserts. A plurality of absorption towels may also be provided for cleaning the flexible barrier.
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Bellenger David C.
Smith Danny Lee
Saitta Thomas C.
Spillguard Development LLC
Walton George L.
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