Automated In-Situ Inspection Systems for Underground Storage Tanks

Abstract

The Army-has 20,000 underground fuel storage tanks (USTs) that must be brought into compliance with the new federal regulations by 1998. To be compliant a tank must be closed, upgraded or replaced. This report covers the investigative research for the development of a robotic system capable of performing an in situ ultrasonic thickness inspection on the interior of a fueled UST. The robotic system is designed to meet the criteria outlined in the Draft Standard for the Robotic inspection of Underground Storage Tanks developed for the EPA. This robotic inspection will allow the Army to make an informed decision on the appropriate action to be taken for a given tank. The robotic system offers a cost effective way to monitor a tank when compared with the existing manual technology that produces the same results. The robotic technology also moves the human out of the UST which eliminates the human liability factor in the hazardous environment.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 29, 1993
Accession Number
ADA274644

Entities

People

  • Chris C. Fromme
  • Warren C. Whittaker

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Computers
  • Construction
  • Contracts
  • Dead Reckoning
  • Electrical Equipment
  • Electricity
  • Engineering
  • Explosions
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Permanent Magnets
  • Robotics
  • Robots
  • Static Electricity
  • Transducers

Readers

  • Environmental Remediation and Restoration.
  • Robotics and Automation.

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML
  • AI & ML - Autonomous Systems
  • AI & ML - DoD AI Strategy
  • Autonomy