FURY: A Remote Underground Storage Tank Inspection/Assessment System

Abstract

The necessity for developing non-invasive procedures for tank condition assessment is currently predicated on the initial removal of tank hazardous wastes followed by the complete removal of the tank from the ground. Current EPA requirements dictate that regular procedures be implemented to ensure the usefulness of tank walls and the prevention of seepage of tank contents in groundwater. Continued reliance on this method has resulted in increased maintenance fees and new methods for cheaper and safer inspection of UST's is needed. Ultrasonic thickness inspection methods are widely used in a number of industries. There are ASTM standards for measurement procedures as well as existing certification programs for technicians. The robotic tank inspection system combines two existing technologies to produce a cost-effective tool for underground storage tank inspection. Mobile robots have been used to move inspection devices over structures. Ultrasonic transducers have been extensively used to inspect metallic structures. These technologies are combined and extended to provide a robotic inspection system that enters the tank through an existing fill pipe, moves over the interior surfaces of the tank and can operate in tanks containing combustible liquids or vapors. The U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories (USACERL) in conjunction with RedZone Robots has developed an automatic in-situ tank assessment system which eliminates the problems of safety and expense often associated with tank inspection. The robot is currently under development through an SBIR Phase II contract and is designed for implementation by DoD customers with UST's containing hazardous wastes as well as in a dual use mode in the commercial sector.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 29, 1998
Accession Number
ADA637451

Entities

People

  • Charles Marsh
  • Frank J. Robb

Organizations

  • Construction Engineering Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Autonomy
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Construction
  • Data Acquisition
  • Databases
  • Environment
  • Environmental Protection
  • Groundwater
  • Information Science
  • Materials
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Measurement
  • Modulus Of Elasticity
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Storage Tanks
  • Volatile Organic Compounds

Readers

  • Facility/Structural Engineering.
  • Groundwater Contamination Remediation.
  • Rocket Propulsion.

Technology Areas

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